CSKA Moscow defender Mario Fernandez has ended his contract with Brazilian club Internacional. The club’s press office confirmed the termination, noting that the 32-year-old player made the request for personal reasons.
Sources close to the situation indicate that CSKA attempted to accelerate the deal and expedite Fernandez’s departure from Internacional ahead of schedule.
Before CSKA’s final game of the previous season, Fernandez chose to suspend his professional career indefinitely. He returned to Brazil to rest and be with his family. In September, Mario and his wife welcomed a son, a moment he described as life changing. Since May, the defender has not taken the field, and his contract with CSKA was set to expire in 2024.
Earlier in December, CSKA granted Fernandez permission to join Internacional on a one-year loan arrangement in Brazil, a move that kept him active while the parties discussed his long-term plan.
On June 21, the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) announced that foreign players and coaches could suspend contracts with Russian clubs until June 30, 2023, extending the previous provision that allowed suspensions until mid-2022. This policy provided flexibility for players like Fernandez during a period of upheaval in the league landscape.
Fernandez’s departure from CSKA and the loan spell at Internacional mark a notable chapter in a career that has featured international movement and personal milestones. He has long been seen as a capable defender capable of contributing in diverse tactical setups, and his decision to prioritize family life during this period has been widely acknowledged by teammates and officials alike. The exact terms of the termination and any future club arrangements remain to be finalized, with both sides signaling a readiness to navigate a new chapter in his football journey, as reported by sources familiar with the negotiations.”