Zarema Salikhova, married to Leonid Fedun, the former Spartak owner, spoke about the possibility of St. Petersburg clubs pursuing players from Moscow. In response to rumors that Zenit could bring in Mario Fernandez, the blue-whites could also explore other options, according to coverage from sports24.
“Mario in Zenit?” she mused. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Georgy Jikia faces attention soon,” Salikhova added, hinting at broader transfer chatter surrounding top Russian talents.
Heading into CSKA Moscow’s final match of the 2021/22 season, reports surfaced that the 31-year-old former Russia international defender Mario Fernandez had chosen to take an indefinite break from football. Fernandez’s contract with CSKA was set to expire in 2024, leaving questions about his next steps.
In December, CSKA granted Fernandez permission to remain with Internacional on a one-year loan. It later emerged that he departed the squad in April 2023, with obligations to cover a transfer penalty if he joined another club, a move that sparked debate among fans and pundits alike.
Fernandez had spent a decade in CSKA Moscow, from 2012 to 2022, becoming a recognizable figure during a turbulent era for the club. His tenure coincided with periods of both struggle and resilience, cementing his status as a veteran presence in defense and a steadying force when the team faced pressure from rival sides.
Discussions around Fernandez’s career trajectory drew comparisons with a later shift in loyalties by a former CSKA goalkeeper, who described similar moves as a breach of trust between a player and his longtime club. The discourse reflected broader questions about loyalty, career strategy, and the evolving nature of player transfers in Russian football, especially as teams weigh short-term gains against long-term stability. (Sports coverage notes from Sports24)