Jorge Machado, speaking for Internacional right-back Mario Fernandez, rejected rumors that the Brazilian player would return to CSKA Moscow with a Russian passport. The clarification puts to rest talk of an imminent move back to the Russian side and emphasizes the current status of his contract and obligations.
Is a CSKA return on the horizon for Mario? The answer is no. There is a contract that runs through December, after which the situation will be reassessed. This stance was relayed by Mashad in an interview with sports24, underscoring that any immediate comeback would depend on footballing and contractual considerations rather than rumors.
To recap the recent timeline: before CSKA’s last match of the previous season, the 31-year-old former Russian national team defender Fernandez decided to pause his playing career indefinitely. He went back to Brazil to rest and spend time with his family. In September, Mario and his wife welcomed a son, marking a personal milestone that coincided with his pause from competitive action. He has not appeared on the field since May, and his deal with CSKA is set to expire in 2024.
In December, CSKA granted Fernandez a one-year loan to Internacional in Brazil. The arrangement allowed him to continue competing while keeping his long-term contract with CSKA intact. The move reflected a practical solution for both the player and the club as they navigated career planning and squad decisions.
CSKA Moscow currently sits on 35 points after 20 rounds of the Russian Premier League, occupying fifth place in the standings. Upcoming fixtures include an away game against Voronezh Fakel on Sunday, followed by a potential domestic clash in the Russian Cup quarterfinals in the following week. These matches carry significance for the club as it competes across league and cup fronts this season.
In related news, Malcolm, a former Zenit player, shared reflections on his own experience learning the Russian language, highlighting how language skills can deepen integration and on-field communication in a multicultural league. The anecdote underscores the broader theme of adaptation that accompanies players moving between leagues and countries, especially in the Russian football landscape. (Source: sports24)