Fernandinho officially retired from professional football

Former Manchester City captain Fernandinho has officially retired from professional football at the age of 40, bringing the curtain down on a trophy-laden 21-year career that spanned Brazil, Ukraine, and England.

The defensive midfielder played his final match in a farewell charity game at Arena da Baixada, home of Athletico Paranaense, where he began and ended his journey. His last competitive appearance came in 2024 for the same club.

Fernandinho joined Manchester City in 2013 from Shakhtar Donetsk, where he had already won six Ukrainian league titles and the 2009 UEFA Cup. At the Etihad, he became one of the most decorated players in the club’s history:

  • 5 Premier League titles
  • 6 EFL Cups
  • 1 FA Cup
  • Captained the side during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons

He made 264 Premier League appearances for City (8th most in the club’s history), scoring 20 goals and providing 19 assists, while his 380 interceptions in the competition rank fifth all-time for the club.

Internationally, Fernandinho earned 53 caps for Brazil, winning the 2019 Copa América and appearing in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, scoring once.

Speaking after his farewell match to ge Globo, he said:
“I already got tired running for 30 minutes today. In football, there’s nothing that motivates me anymore. Everything I could enjoy, I enjoyed. Now, it’s time to enjoy time with the family.”

One of the Premier League’s most consistent and understated midfield anchors, Fernandinho leaves the game as a true legend of Manchester City and Brazilian football.