The Moscow CSKA Telegram channel hints at a summer move back to St. Petersburg for the army club following its seventh round clash with Zenit. A post included a photo featuring Igor Akinfeev and Mario Fernandez, the captain and goalkeeper associated with CSKA, who later moved to Zenit in the capital city.
The press service of the club issued a caption accompanying the image, captured in the moments before kick-off in the six-room facility ahead of the match.
Fernandez celebrated Zenit’s goal with gusto by stepping out of the technical area during the September 3 encounter against CSKA, a game that finished 1-1. The incident prompted scrutiny from the Control and Disciplinary Committee of the Russian Football Union.
Zenit announced Mario Fernandez as a new team member on July 17, with the signing configured under a 1+1 contract structure.
Leading up to CSKA’s final game of the 2021/22 season, reports emerged that the 31-year-old former Russia national team defender planned an indefinite career pause. He had been loaned to Brazil’s Internacional at the start of 2023 with CSKA’s approval but departed from the club in April. Talks about a potential return to CSKA took place, yet no agreement was achieved between the two sides.
During his time with CSKA, Fernandez collected league titles and domestic cup honours, winning the national championship, the Russian Cup on three occasions, and the Russian Super Cup once.
A former CSKA head coach publicly advocated on Fernandez’s behalf during the transition to Zenit, underscoring the move as a significant chapter in both clubs’ recent histories.