Football player Brandon Fernandes was born in Margao, Goa, on September 20, 1994. Brandon can play on both the left and right wings, but his primary position in the starting eleven is attacking midfielder. Since he played in the U-13, U-16, U-17, and U-19 levels, Brandon is the only Indian player to have represented India in every age group.

From an early age, Brandon's love for football was clear, and he enrolled in the Fransa FC programme. After a few years with Fransa, the dissolution of Fransa forced Brandon to relocate to Velsao Pale Sports Club.

Brandon's performance so impressed the Velsao Pale staff that they started him at the Under 14 level at the age of eight. The Goa United Sports Academy was his next stop, after which he joined the Salgaocar SC at the U14 level. Before transferring to ASD Cape Town, Brandon represented Salgaocar at the U-14, U-16, and U-19 levels.

With ASD, Brandon drew the attention of scouts from several European soccer teams. Brandon tried out for renowned English soccer teams Leicester City, Reading, and Sunderland but was unable to secure a contract with one of the teams.

When his contract at ASD Cape Town expired, Brandon went home and signed with Sporting Clube de Goa. In nine I-League games in 2014–15, he scored three goals, saving his team from relegation. Brandon had a quiet personal 2015–16 season, but Mohun Bagan ultimately finished second in the I-League and won the Federation Cup.