Mario Fernandez, a footballer for Zenit Saint Petersburg, has stated that he does not intend to retire from his professional career. He told Match TV that retirement is a major life decision for any athlete and should be approached with careful thought. He added simply, I am not thinking about it right now. Source: Match TV.
Zenit announced Fernandez as a member of the squad on July 17, 2023, confirming a two-party agreement under a 1+1 contract structure. This move marked a new chapter for the veteran defender, who had previously spent seasons with other top clubs and the national team setup. Source: Match TV.
Earlier in the 2021/22 season, news broke that the 31-year-old former Russia international had decided to pause his playing career indefinitely while at CSKA. Early 2023 saw him join Brazilian club Internacional on loan, with CSKA granting the temporary transfer, though the arrangements ultimately did not lead to a lasting stay. After his time with Internacional, CSKA explored options for a return, yet the sides did not reach a renewed agreement. During his tenure with CSKA, Fernandez contributed to domestic triumphs, winning the national championship, the Russian Cup three times, and the Russian Super Cup once. Source: Match TV.
In the current campaign, Fernandez has appeared for Zenit in 12 competitive fixtures. While the team has valued his experience, his on-field impact in these matches did not translate into significant statistical contributions. Source: Match TV.
Throughout his career, Fernandez has typically logged substantial playing time for Zenit, with a noted contrast in minutes between his appearances for Zenit and his earlier experiences with other squads. Source: Match TV.