In the 2023 summer transfer window CSKA Moscow prepared for a busy spell at its home ground, the VEB Arena. The club announced a notable roster update as a portrait of former defender Mario Fernandez was replaced with a new display following his move to another club. The update was reported by DEA News, illustrating how the team keeps its gallery and memory of past players current even as transfers unfold.
Inside the stadium, a new tribute now graces the concourse below the stands: a portrait honoring former midfielder Daniel Carvalho. The refresh reflects CSKA’s practice of honoring past contributors who helped shape the club’s history while fans continue to celebrate current and future stars on match days.
The eagerly anticipated match between CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg is scheduled for September 3 in Moscow. Kickoff is set for 17:30 Moscow time, a moment fans will mark on calendars as the two giants of Russian football meet again after recent transfer activity and competitive clashes in the league.
Earlier in July, Zenit announced the signing of Mario Fernandez, bringing the former CSKA defender into their squad under a contract described as a 1+1 arrangement. This move adds intrigue to a season already defined by strategic retooling on both sides of the field, including Fernandez’s return to the spotlight with Zenit after a long and eventful career in the domestic league.
Looking back at Fernandez’s career with CSKA, the defender, who earned caps with the Russian national team, stepped away from professional football at the end of the 2021/22 season for an indefinite break. Earlier in 2023, he joined Brazil’s Internacional on a loan spell with CSKA’s consent, but he departed the club in April of that year. Talks between CSKA and the player about a possible return did not reach an agreement, and both sides continued to pursue their ambitions in the highly competitive transfer market.
Throughout his time with the army club, Fernandez contributed to CSKA’s success by helping secure the national championship, the Russian Cup on three occasions, and a Super Cup triumph. His presence on the field and in the club’s trophy cabinet remains part of CSKA’s storied history, even as the squad evolves with new signings and strategic moves designed to compete at the highest level in Russian football and in European competitions.
Earlier discussions from Zenit staff and media tended to reflect on Fernandez’s mood and readiness ahead of matches against CSKA. These reflections underscored the broader narrative of a league where player movements and personal stories add depth to the on-pitch rivalry, keeping fans engaged as seasons unfold and the calendar fills with meaningful confrontations.