When the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 launched with the tagline "Agla Hero Kaun?", few would’ve guessed that the answer would emerge from the heart of Goa. But as the season wrapped up, there was little doubt. FC Goa’s very own Brison Fernandes didn’t just answer that question, he earned it.

The 23-year-old midfielder, once a quiet name buried deep in the squad list, rose to the forefront with a breakout season that had everything: goals, flair and that undeniable spark of someone destined for something big. His efforts were recognised with the Emerging Player of the Season award, a fitting tribute to a young footballer who truly came of age.

From academy to the arena

However, Fernandes’ journey isn’t the overnight success story that highlight reels often suggest. It’s been years in the making. Nearly a decade.

A local boy from Goa, Brison first joined the club’s U16 team in 2016, slowly making his way through the age groups and development squads. The path wasn’t always glamorous. For the first three seasons of his senior career from 2021-24, he managed just 328 minutes on the pitch in the ISL. But instead of frustration, he embraced patience.

Those who watched him train knew what he was capable of. One of them was FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez, who boldly stated last season that Fernandes was the best player he trained in India. High praise from a man who’s worked with some of the league’s finest talents. And this season, the midfielder repaid that faith.

A breakthrough season

This season, Brison didn’t just break through, he delivered plenty of match-winning moments for his team.

Across 24 appearances, he notched up seven goals and two assists, becoming not just FC Goa’s second joint-highest goalscorer alongside Iker Guarrotxena, but also the second-highest Indian goalscorer in the league behind Sunil Chhetri.

But here’s where it gets even more impressive: Brison took just 16 shots on target across the entire season and converted seven of them. That’s a conversion rate most seasoned strikers would envy.

He also created 27 chances and won 74 duels, proving his impact wasn't limited to scoring. The local lad was constantly pulling strings from midfield, switching play, pressing with intensity and linking up beautifully with attackers.

In the matches where Fernandes found the net, FC Goa won every single time. His goals were decisive.

Making history

Besides carving his place in the team, Fernandes broke records along the way.

In December 2024, he scored twice against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, a team that ended up winning the Shield and ISL Cup. A few weeks later, in January, he repeated the feat with another brace against Odisha FC. That made him the first Indian player in ISL history to score two goals in consecutive matches.

Each of these performances wasn’t just about the goals. Fernandes impressed while displaying maturity beyond his years - drifting into pockets of space, timing his late runs into the box to perfection and consistently showing up in the right place at the right time.

With Fernandes in the thick of things, FC Goa enjoyed one of their best-ever league stage finishes, racking up 48 points and sealing second place in the standings.

The Gaurs looked like genuine contenders for the Shield for much of the season, blending youthful energy with experienced heads. And at the heart of it all was Fernandes, growing in confidence with every touch.

Their campaign came to an end in the semi-finals, where they were narrowly beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Bengaluru FC, but the signs were clear: FC Goa were a much improved team than the previous season and Fernandes was one of the main reasons why.

He also ended the campaign with the most goal contributions by an Indian player for FC Goa in a single ISL season, surpassing even some of the club’s established names.

When you’re putting up numbers like that, the national team is never far away. And sure enough, in March 2025, Fernandes earned his first call-up to the Indian national team for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. He made his senior debut against Bangladesh, a well-deserved reward for a player who had been knocking on the door all season.

On the rise

What makes his rise even sweeter is that it’s grounded in loyalty. In an age where transfers and quick moves dominate headlines, Fernandes has stayed with the club that raised him, trusting the system, the coaches and his own growth.

Now, he’s no longer just a promising name in FC Goa’s squad list but a match-winner, a fan favorite and a symbol of what belief and patience can produce.

When the ISL season began with the promo, “Agla Hero Kaun?”, few outside Goa would've guessed the answer.

But by the time the final whistle of the season blew, there was no doubt - it was Brison Fernandes, the emerging hero who didn’t just rise, but truly shone.