Sports commentator and television presenter Dmitry Guberniev commented on the choice to pause the sports career of CSKA defender and Russian national team member Mario Fernandez.
On May 18, the defender learned about a career pause following the end of the 2021/22 season. After the match with Rostov in the 30th round of the Russian Premier League, the footballer will return to his homeland in Brazil.
“It’s sad. I hope he will be back on the pitch someday. Mario Fernandez is a true Russian character. We are grateful for the years he dedicated to the national team and the joy he provided while wearing CSKA’s colors. I truly see him as one of ours, a Russian,” Guberniev stated on Pair TV.
Fernandez received Russian citizenship in July 2016. He earned 33 caps for the national team and scored 5 goals in that period.
In the current season, he appeared in 29 matches for the red-and-blue club and found the net twice. His contract with CSKA remains valid through the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Prior to the final round of the Russian Premier League, CSKA, coached by Vasily Berezutskiy, had accumulated 47 points and sat in fifth place on the standings.
Valery Karpin, the former head coach of the Russian national team, shared thoughts on the decision regarding Mario Fernandez.