Without a proposal, midfielder Fernandinho says goodbye to Athletico after relegation

The steering wheel Fernandinho officially ended his second spell at Athletico this Wednesday (1), one day after the end of his contract with Furacão.

No proposal to remain in the squad that will play Brasileirão Series Bthe 39-year-old athlete posted a farewell message to the club that formed him and also thanked him for the affection he always received from the fans.

Upon returning home after many years, I was welcomed with open arms. Every time I wore the Athletico shirt, I was welcomed with affection and respect by all the fans. I will carry this forever. The time has come to follow new paths, but I leave with the certainty that my bond with CAP will never be broken. With affection and gratitude, Fernandinho.

Fernandinho leaves Athletico as an idol, but with a bitter taste

Revealed at CT do Caju, Londoner Fernandinho is the only player in history to play in two Libertadores finals for Athletico. He was a starter on the team that lost São Pauloin 2005, and was also the great leader of the team defeated by Flamengo, in 2022.

In total, 17 years separate the two realities of Fernando Luiz Rosa with the red-black shirt. Kid left, in July 2005, sold to the Shakhtar Donetsk. He made history for the Ukrainian team, winning 14 cups.

In 2013, he continued his journey in Europe in the victorious Manchester Citywhere he became a reference, captain and favorite of coach Pep Guardiola. There, he continued collecting titles: there were 13 in nine seasons.

An above-average player, capable of reading the game in a unique way, would have a place in English football to this day (at least that was Guardiola’s wish). However, he decided to return to his favorite club in 2022 because he felt the need to repay everything that Athletico and its fans had done for him.

Fernandinho chose Athletico

And Fernandinho returned not as a boy, but as a trained man and an exemplary professional. His return coincided with a great moment for Furacão, led by Felipão.

On the field, he was number 5. But his role went far beyond that of a midfielder. He assumed, from the beginning, a leadership role.

Even without the captain’s band, which was on the defender’s arm Thiago HelenoFernandinho was a great role model for players, especially younger ones, who asked about his mentality and dreamed of repeating his winning career.

In 117 games in the second spell, the peak was early, in the Libertadores final. Despite being “almost” again, he declared he was proud.

Feeling of great pride. I think our team did justice to this final match, we demonstrated character, willpower, tactical discipline. I think it was a game decided in detail, and the only feeling we have left now is pride. It’s a very young team that fought until the end.

Fernandinho injury changed Athletico

In August, against Belgrano, in the South American Championship, the midfielder suffered an injury to his thigh adductor muscle that took him out of action for just over two months.

Between his departure from the team and his return, 12 games were played. Athletico lost eight, drew two and won two (none of them in the Brasileirão). He only won again in Série A when Fernandinho reappeared on the bench – against Cruzeiro, at the Ligga Arena, on October 26, coming on in the second half.

In an effort to help the club escape relegation, the midfielder advanced the recovery process and felt the injury again. He only started again in the last round, against Atlético-MG. In the game of despair, as the chance to avoid the worst was thrown away in the home defeat to Bragantino, three days earlier.

My feeling is the same as the fans, very sad, very disappointed. This passionate side that we have is sometimes difficult to control. But, obviously, we have to assume our responsibility on the technical side. We know that we missed many opportunities at home. And the bill has now arrived, unfortunately in the worst possible way. It’s about picking up the pieces, being humble enough to rebuild and move forward, lamented the veteran.

There was no proposal to stay at Athletico

Even with the relegation, Fernandinho never said that he wouldn’t stay at Athletico to play in Series B. He always made it clear that it would be necessary to talk, which never happened.

“My future depends on several people and several circumstances. A day to regret, mourn, be sad, we have to live this moment. Then, later on, I will decide, I will sit with my family to see what that it will be better for everyone”, said the midfielder, on the day of the athletics crash.

The proposal that the club promised to make, with a significant salary reduction, was never materialized. This caused indignation in Fernandinho, who expected at least a call from the president Mario Celso Petraglia to explain the reasons.

Without a contract, free on the market, now Fernandinho will end his career in a different way – different from what he imagined when he chose to return to the team that formed him for the world of football.