Reports from Petersburg surfaced through a Telegram channel associated with the blue-and-white squad, alleging that a decision was made not to sign Mario Fernandez, the former Moscow defender, with CSKA due to concerns about his weight. The channel attributed the information to a source linked to the publication Sport Express, prompting immediate discussion among fans and analysts alike.
In response, a prominent executive tied to the club dismissed the chatter as baseless. He emphasized that the club’s plans were proceeding as anticipated and questioned the reliability of the weight-related claim. He pointed out that Fernandez’s physical condition had not been assessed in a way that would justify premature conclusions, suggesting that the comparison being drawn did not hold up under scrutiny. The executive added that Fernandez’s current form had to be evaluated in the context of a longer-term fitness program rather than a single snapshot, noting that more comprehensive updates would be provided through official channels when appropriate.
Brazilian journalist Alexandre Pretzel reported on July 6 that Fernandez could be a possible target for Zenit. Meanwhile, the player himself has repeatedly stated in various interviews that his preference remains to play in Russia for CSKA, a club with which he spent a decade and earned multiple domestic trophies, including a national championship title on three occasions and a Russian Cup victory. Such ties to CSKA have been highlighted in conversations about the player’s career trajectory and potential moves, reflecting a balance between loyalty and market interest from other top teams.
As the 2021/22 season approached its conclusion, it was disclosed that the 31-year-old former Russian international had decided to pause his playing career indefinitely for reasons that were described as personal and strategic by his representatives. This decision, announced at the end of CSKA’s final game of that season, raised questions about the player’s immediate plans and the broader implications for both the club and the player’s long-term prospects within Russian football.
Jorge Machado, who has served as a representative for Fernandez, issued a statement underscoring that his client’s weight issue was not an accurate description of his condition. The clarification aimed to counter the circulating claims and to present a fuller picture of the player’s fitness status, training regimen, and professional goals. The exchange highlighted the ongoing tension between media narratives and the facts as understood by Fernandez’s camp, especially during a period of heightened speculation about transfers and career direction.
In assessing the latest developments, observers have begun to weigh several factors: the player’s past contributions to CSKA, Fernandez’s expressed intentions regarding his preferred destination, and the strategic considerations that clubs face when evaluating veteran players who carry both experience and physical considerations. The discussion reflects broader questions about how weight and conditioning are used in transfer deliberations, and how clubs balance loyalty with the pressures of squad planning and financial prudence. This situation illustrates the complexities of player movement in modern football, where media chatter can quickly intersect with official statements and long-standing career loyalties. [citation: Sport Express, Pretzel, Machado statements]