CSKA Moscow’s Brazilian defender Willian Rocha spoke about his fellow countryman Mario Fernandez, a veteran who spent a substantial portion of his career at the army club. Rocha made it clear that he would welcome the chance to team up with Fernandez, noting that the veteran would not hesitate to join a project with ambition and discipline. During discussions with a manager about Rocha’s own move to CSKA, a brief conversation surfaced with Fernandez, who was then dealing with an injury back in Brazil. Rocha recounted that dialogue with optimism, emphasizing that Mario seemed eager to reclaim his place if the opportunity arose.
Roshi, a nickname sometimes used for Willian Rocha in media circles, highlighted Mario’s expressed desire to play alongside him. The forward-looking sentiment from Rocha was straightforward: Mario had said he wanted to play with him, and Rocha invited him to make that move a reality, signaling his willingness to wait for the moment when both could contribute on the same side. The exchange was captured by Sports24 as part of ongoing coverage surrounding CSKA’s personnel decisions and potential squad reshuffles.
As context, it was reported that prior to CSKA’s final league match of the previous season, Fernandez, who is 31 and a former member of the Russian national team, opted to suspend his playing career indefinitely. He decided to return to Brazil to rest and spend time with his family. In September, he and his wife welcomed a son, a development that underscored a period of personal renewal away from the pitch. Since May, Fernandez had not featured in competitive action, and his contract with CSKA was due to expire in 2024, leaving the door open for various scenarios as the club evaluated its options for the future.
In December, CSKA granted Fernandez permission to pursue a one-year loan with Brazil’s Internacional, a move that aligned with his desire to stay active while exploring new surroundings and competitive environments. The arrangement provided both the player and the club an opportunity to reassess Fernandez’s long-term fit within CSKA’s plans, while Internacional gained a player with international experience and familiarity with the Brazilian football landscape.
Meanwhile, CSKA has accumulated 29 points from 17 league fixtures and sits in fifth place in the Russian Premier League standings as the season progresses. The team’s schedule for the week features a domestic cup engagement, with a Russian Cup tie against Krasnodar on the horizon. The balance of league commitments and cup ambitions remains a focal point for the coaching staff and the squad as they navigate a demanding calendar and seek to consolidate a strong league position while pursuing silverware at the national cup level.
Earlier developments had seen Willian Rocha responding to the news surrounding Fernandez’s potential departure, underscoring the interconnected nature of squad dynamics and the anticipation around who will wear the CSKA shirt in key matches. The evolving situation continues to attract attention from fans and analysts who monitor every facet of the club’s lineup, contract negotiations, and the strategic decisions that shape CSKA’s competitive trajectory in both domestic and regional competitions.