A former CSKA and USSR national team footballer, Vladimir Ponomarev of St. Petersburg’s Zenit, voiced strong criticisms of defender Mario Fernandez. His comments reveal a clear and emphatic point of view that has stirred discussion across the football community.
“Spit on this Mario! He did not play for a year, spent time on the bench, and managed only five appearances with Internacional. Then he arrived and suddenly became a central figure. It simply does not make sense, and I don’t buy it. Typically a player earns chance after showing form in competitive matches, and now he seems to be moved around without hesitation”, the veteran noted. He added that Fernandez’s rise in status comes with controversy: the pattern of opportunities appears inconsistent with prior performance, and many observers question how a player without consistent defensive duty can suddenly become indispensable. The concern, as he explained, is that Fernandez has not consistently demonstrated defensive rigor, and that affected the stability of CSKA’s defense and the national team’s back line. His assertion was explicit: “Fernandez does not know how to defend at a high level.”
Zenit publicly introduced Fernandez as a team contributor on July 17, highlighting a new phase in his career. The club and the player agreed to a contract under a 1+1 substitution clause, a move that analysts described as strategically flexible for both sides. The arrangement signals Zenit’s confidence in his potential impact while keeping options open for the future, according to insiders familiar with the negotiation dynamics.
Reports later indicated that just before CSKA’s final match of the 2021/22 season, Fernandez chose to pause his career indefinitely. He then moved on loan to Internacional in early 2023 with CSKA’s blessing, though he departed the Brazilian club in April. Efforts by CSKA to reunite with the defender were reported, but the negotiations did not reach a conclusion, leaving both clubs at a stalemate over his immediate return. This sequence illustrates how mid-career moves can complicate long-term plans for clubs and players alike, sometimes altering the tactical balance of a defense for extended periods.
During his time with CSKA, Fernandez contributed to winning national championships and domestic cup competitions, securing three league titles and a Russian Cup triumph alongside a Super Cup victory. These accolades underscore the player’s value to the squad during that period, even as opinions about his defensive performance remained divided among fans and pundits.
In the aftermath of the transfer developments, public statements from former teammates and rivals reflected a spectrum of views about Fernandez’s move to Zenit and what it signified for his career trajectory. Observers argued that the transfer illustrated broader questions about player development, role clarity, and the demands of top-tier competition. While some welcomed the new chapter for Fernandez, others urged caution, emphasizing the need for consistency in defensive responsibilities to sustain a club’s performance at the highest level. The broader narrative centers on how a player adapts to new systems and teammates—an element that will ultimately shape his impact on Zenit’s back line and the national team’s future prospects. (Source attribution: football analysis outlets and club press communications)