The Zenit St. Petersburg club has decided to part ways with Brazilian defender Mario Fernandez, with official statements indicating the separation will be completed by the end of July 2024.
Sources close to the club describe the decision as a result of Fernandez’s insufficient physical condition, a factor the coaching staff believes will prevent him from reaching his former performance level with the team. This assessment has led Zenit to conclude the partnership cannot continue under the current terms.
The club and the player are expected to terminate their agreement by July 31, 2024, marking the end of a short spell in which Fernandez joined the squad under a 1+1 contract arrangement.
Fernandez joined Zenit on July 7, 2023, entering the squad with the understanding that the contract would be structured with a one-year base plus one possible extension. During a pre-season friendly on March 23, 2024, Fernandez came on as a substitute and was taken off after 32 minutes following an injury. He re-entered play after the halftime break, but the setback cast a long shadow over his tenure with the team.
In the season just completed, the 33-year-old defender appeared in 18 matches across all competitions, contributing defensively but not finding the back of the net.
Historically, tensions have arisen around matches involving Ukrainian clubs and Russian venues, with recent commentary suggesting strained interactions between Dynamo Kyiv personnel and visiting teams to Russia. This context has shaped the broader atmosphere around player movements and club relationships in the region, though it does not alter the facts of Fernandez’s contract status or his on-field record with Zenit.
Zenit remains a club with a storied history in Russian football, consistently pursuing competitive squads and evaluating player fitness, form, and long-term potential. The decision to release Fernandez underscores the club’s emphasis on maintaining a squad capable of performing at peak levels, while offering the defender a pathway to pursue opportunities elsewhere. As the summer window progresses, observers will watch how Zenit reallocates resources and how Fernandez seeks to continue his professional career in a league that matches his ambitions and physical readiness.