Defender Mario Fernandez is not set for a quick return to CSKA Moscow. The update came from journalist Fabio Aleixu, who shared the information on social media. He noted that CSKA and the Brazilian player, currently with Internacional, could not reach an agreement over compensation of €366,000. As a result, Fernandez is weighing offers from other clubs if any emerge.
Sources indicate that just before CSKA’s final match of the 2021/22 season, the 31-year-old decided to step away from football for an indefinite period. He returned to Brazil to rest and spend time with his family. In September, Mario and his wife welcomed a son, a joyful milestone that further anchored his decision to pause his career. His contract with CSKA was due to expire in 2024, creating a broader context for any potential moves.
Later that year, CSKA granted Fernandez a one-year loan arrangement with Internacional in Brazil, which began in December. He departed the club in April 2023, closing a long chapter with CSKA after ten seasons and multiple trophies. During his time in Moscow, he contributed to winning three league titles and the Russian Super Cup, and he also claimed a national Super Cup victory, marking a successful period in Russian football.
Fernandez’s journey included accepting Russian citizenship and earning a place in the national team during the 2018 World Championship campaign, when the squad under coach Stanislav Cherchesov advanced to the quarterfinals. This chapter highlighted his impact beyond club play, reflecting the broader integration of foreign players into Russian football and their role on the international stage.
Public discussion around a possible return to CSKA has drawn commentary from Tom and former Cameroon national team manager Valery Nepomniachtchi, who offered a positive outlook on the potential reunion of the defender with the club. The situation underscores how player contracts, national team duties, and family considerations often intersect in a player’s career decisions, shaping transfer dynamics and long-term club planning.