Former Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho, winner of 30 titles, announces his retirement at charity match: “I feel fulfilled, it’s time to enjoy my family.”
At 40 years of age, Fernandinho has decided to hang up his boots for good. The former footballer, whose last appearance on the pitch was in December 2024 when his Athletico Paranaense were relegated, announced the news after playing in a charity match this Wednesday at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.
“I’m tired now. I got tired running for 30-odd minutes today. Nothing motivates me anymore. I felt fulfilled in football. I took advantage of everything I could. Now is the time to enjoy my family,” he stated frankly.
Fernandinho has had a long and distinguished career. After making his name at Athletico Paranaense and breaking into the first team (2002-2005), his opportunity in Europe came with Shakhtar Donetsk. A club that served as a springboard into European football for many Brazilian players.
He played for the Ukrainian team for eight seasons, scoring 11 goals – all from penalties – and providing 18 assists in 275 matches (2005-2013). In addition, he won 14 titles, the same number as he did with Manchester City.
He spent nine seasons with the ‘Citizens’ (2013-2022) and his record was 26 goals and 27 assists in 383 games. An impressive return. From there, he moved back home to Athletico Paranaense (2022-2024), where his contract expired in January this year.
As for the Brazil national team, Fernandinho, winner of the Under-20 World Cup in 2003, won the 2019 Copa America and participated with the ‘Canarinha’ in the World Cups in Brazil (2014) and Russia (2018). He played 27 official matches and scored one goal.