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Matías Fernández (footballer, born 1986)

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Not to be confused with Matías Fernández (footballer, born 1995).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Fernández and the second or maternal family name is Fernández.

Matías Fernández
Fernández with Fiorentina in 2015
Personal information
Full name Matías Ariel Fernández Fernández[1]
Date of birth (1986-05-15) 15 May 1986 (age 38)[1]
Place of birth Caballito, Argentina
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1996–1998 Unión La Calera
1998–2004 Colo-Colo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Colo-Colo 82 (37)
2006–2009 Villarreal 71 (7)
2009–2012 Sporting CP 69 (12)
2012–2017 Fiorentina 96 (7)
2016–2017 → AC Milan (loan) 13 (1)
2017–2019 Necaxa 37 (4)
2019 Atlético Junior 11 (1)
2020–2021 Colo-Colo 19 (0)
2021–2022 Deportes La Serena 39 (3)
Total 437 (72)
International career
2005 Chile U20 13 (5)
2005–2018 Chile 74 (14)
Medal record
Representing  Chile
Winner Copa América 2015
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Matías Ariel Fernández Fernández (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈti.as aˈɾjel feɾˈnandes feɾˈnandes]; born 15 May 1986) is a Chilean former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He was known for his dribbling skills, also being a free kick specialist.

After starting out at Colo-Colo, he spent several seasons with Villarreal, Sporting CP and Fiorentina, having moved to Europe in 2006. He also played professionally in Mexico and Colombia.

Fernández was elected South American Footballer of the Year in 2006 and appeared for the Chile national team in the 2010 World Cup and three Copa América tournaments, winning the 2015 edition of the latter tournament.

Early life

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Fernández was born in the Caballito neighbourhood in Buenos Aires to Argentine mother Mirtha and Chilean father Humberto. He moved to La Calera, Chile, at the age of 4.[2]

Club career

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Colo-Colo

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Fernández began with the youth squads of Colo-Colo at the age of 12. His debut in the Primera División came on 1 August 2004 against Club Universidad de Chile, and a week later he scored his first two goals, against Cobresal.

Fernández would go on to net a total of eight goals in the 2004 Clausura, and was named best young player of the season. In the 2006 Apertura he helped his team capture their 24th title and, in December of the same year, he helped them reach the final of the Copa Sudamericana, lost to C.F. Pachuca of Mexico, by scoring nine times in six games for the tournament. He left on a high note, winning the 2006 Clausura tournament and the South American Footballer of the Year award.

Villarreal

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In late October 2006, Fernández was signed by Spanish club Villarreal CF for a fee of €8.7 million, joining compatriot Manuel Pellegrini who was the coach.[3] The transaction was made before he received the "South American Player of the Year" award and, despite reports that Real Madrid and Chelsea were also interested, he agreed to terms and arrived at the Valencia airport on 27 December; on 7 January 2007 he made his La Liga debut in a 0–1 home loss against Valencia CF,[4] scoring his first competitive goal three months later in the 3–0 league win at Gimnàstic de Tarragona.[5]

Despite having had a buyout clause of €50 million inserted in his contract, Fernández failed to achieve significant playing time during his first three seasons, but still contributed 30 matches and three goals in 2007–08 as the side finished a best-ever runners-up. On 10 May 2009, he scored from a penalty kick in a 3–3 away draw against eventual champions FC Barcelona.[6]

Sporting CP

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On 1 July 2009, after being deemed surplus to requirements by new Villarreal manager Ernesto Valverde, Fernández joined Sporting CP on a four-year contract, for €3.65 million,[7] with a further €500,000 payable depending on appearances. Villarreal would retain 20% of the profit on any future sale of the player.[8]

Fernández scored his first goal for his new team on 27 October 2009, in a 1–1 draw at Vitória de Guimarães,[9] adding another the following week also in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, at home against C.S. Marítimo (again 1–1).[10] In the UEFA Europa League he netted once more, in injury time of the Lions' 3–0 victory over Everton in the round of 16 (4–2 on aggregate).[11]

Fernández remained an important attacking unit in 2011–12, under both Domingos Paciência and his successor Ricardo Sá Pinto. He scored three of his four league goals against U.D. Leiria, two in the 3–1 home win[12] and the game's only in the second match through a free kick in the 101st minute – the game had been interrupted for nine minutes due to floodlights malfunction.[13]

Fiorentina

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On 27 July 2012, Fernández transferred to Italian club ACF Fiorentina for about €3.1 million, plus €1.5 million bonuses.[14][15] During his spell at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, he was consistently bothered by physical problems.[16]

Fernández moved to fellow Serie A team AC Milan on 31 August 2016, on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.[17] He made his debut on 6 November, coming off the bench in the 2–1 away victory over U.S. Città di Palermo.[18]

Later years

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On 4 September 2017, free agent Fernández signed with Club Necaxa.[19][20] On 4 February 2019 he joined Categoría Primera A defending champions Atlético Junior on a one-year contract,[21] scoring a late equaliser on his debut 12 days later after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 1–1 home draw with Rionegro Águilas; he was named player of the match.[22]

On 18 December 2019, Fernández returned to Colo-Colo by agreeing to a one-year deal with the option for a further season.[23] The 36-year-old announced his retirement on 14 February 2023, after 11 months in the same league with Deportes La Serena.[24][25]

International career

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Fernández captained the Chile team at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, scoring a goal in the 7–0 rout of Honduras. Despite a second-round exit to the Netherlands he displayed overall good football, playing alongside Nicolás Canales, Carlos Villanueva and José Pedro Fuenzalida.[26][27]

Also a former under-17 international, Fernández quickly established as an integral part of the full side, netting five times and appearing for the nation at the 2007 Copa América. After featuring prominently in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, he was selected for the finals in South Africa, playing – and starting – in the group stage against Honduras and Switzerland (both 1–0 wins), in an eventual last-16 exit.[28][29][30]

In May 2014, Fernández underwent an ankle surgery on his right foot, thus being unable to participate in that year's World Cup.[31] He was included in the Chilean squad for the 2015 Copa América, being sent off in the opening match, a 2–0 win over Ecuador at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago;[32] after having come as a 75th-minute substitute for Jorge Valdivia, he was one of four players on target in the final against Argentina, which ended 4–1 in a penalty shootout.[33]

Fernández was initially named in the Copa América Centenario squad, but had to withdraw through injury and was replaced by Mark González[34] as the nation again won the tournament.

Personal life

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Fernández married his Chilean wife in March 2013, but the couple's first child had already been born in late 2008. He was fined for speeding when he was driving from Santiago to Viña del Mar, to witness the baby's birth.[35]

Before moving to Europe, Fernández was often compared to compatriot David Pizarro, who spent most of his professional career in Italy.[36]

Career statistics

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Fernández with Colo-Colo in 2006

Club

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As of match played 16 February 2019[37]
Club Season League Cup International Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Colo-Colo 2004 Primera División 23 8 0 0 0 0 23 8
2005 29 9 0 0 0 0 29 9
2006 30 20 0 0 0 0 30 20
Total 82 37 0 0 0 0 82 37
Villarreal 2006–07 La Liga 20 1 0 0 0 0 20 1
2007–08 30 3 0 0 0 0 30 3
2008–09 21 3 0 0 7 0 28 3
Total 71 7 0 0 7 0 78 7
Sporting CP 2009–10 Primeira Liga 28 3 5 1 13 1 46 5
2010–11 21 5 2 0 6 2 29 7
2011–12 20 4 7 0 11 3 38 7
Total 69 12 14 1 30 6 113 19
Fiorentina 2012–13 Serie A 22 1 3 0 0 0 25 1
2013–14 23 3 5 0 10 0 38 3
2014–15 29 2 4 0 8 0 41 2
2015–16 22 1 0 0 5 0 27 1
Total 96 7 12 0 23 0 131 7
AC Milan 2016–17 Serie A 13 1 0 0 0 0 13 1
Total 13 1 0 0 0 0 13 1
Necaxa 2017–18 Liga MX 20 1 4 1 0 0 24 2
2018–19 17 3 1 0 0 0 18 3
Total 37 4 5 1 0 0 42 5
Junior 2019 Primera A 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
Total 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
Career Total 369 69 31 2 60 6 460 77

International goals

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# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 8 October 2006 Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile  Peru 1–1 3–2 Pacific Cup
2. 8 October 2006 Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile  Peru 2–1 3–2 Pacific Cup
3. 7 February 2007 José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo, Venezuela  Venezuela 0–1 0–1 Friendly
4. 17 October 2007 Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile  Peru 2–0 2–0 2010 World Cup qualification
5. 10 September 2008 Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile  Colombia 4–0 4–0 2010 World Cup qualification
6. 29 March 2009 Monumental "U", Lima, Peru  Peru 1–3 1–3 2010 World Cup qualification
7. 6 June 2009 Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay  Paraguay 0–1 0–2 2010 World Cup qualification
8. 26 March 2011 Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal  Portugal 1–1 1–1 Friendly
9. 29 March 2011 Kyocera, The Hague, Netherlands  Colombia 0–1 0–2 Friendly
10. 19 June 2011 David Arellano, Santiago, Chile  Estonia 1–0 4–0 Friendly
11. 7 October 2011 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Argentina 3–1 4–1 2014 World Cup qualification
12. 29 February 2012 PPL Park, Pennsylvania, United States  Ghana 1–1 1–1 Friendly
13. 9 June 2012 José Antonio Anzoátegui, Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela  Venezuela 0–1 0–2 2014 World Cup qualification
14. 11 September 2012 David Arellano, Santiago, Chile  Colombia 1–0 1–3 2014 World Cup qualification

Honours

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Colo-Colo

Sporting CP

Fiorentina

Milan

Necaxa

Junior

Chile

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c "M. Fernández" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Nueve sudamericanos que jugaron o se criaron en otros países" [Nine South Americans who played or were raised in other countries]. El Comercio (in Spanish). 11 November 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Villarreal sign Chilean starlet". UEFA. 28 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  4. ^ "Angulo liquida al Villarreal y reengancha al Valencia en la lucha por el título (0–1)" [Angulo finishes Villarreal and reinserts Valencia in title fight (0–1)]. Libertad Digital (in Spanish). 7 January 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  5. ^ "El Nàstic pierde 0 a 3 contra el Villarreal" [Nàstic lose 0 to 3 against Villarreal] (in Spanish). Gimnàstic Tarragona. 29 April 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  6. ^ Steinberg, Jacob (10 May 2009). "Villarreal cancel Barcelona's title celebrations with last gasp equaliser". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Sporting give Fernández a chance". UEFA. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  8. ^ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  9. ^ Mendes, Manuel Luís (28 October 2009). "Mais depressão do que pressão" [More depression than pressure]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Leão empata com sabor a derrota" [Lion draws with the taste of a loss] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  11. ^ Fletcher, Paul (25 February 2010). "Sporting 3–0 Everton (agg 4–2)". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  12. ^ Shave, Ben (6 November 2011). "Liga round-up: Sporting close gap". PortuGOAL. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  13. ^ Cole, Richard (2 April 2012). "Late Matias strike earns Sporting victory at Leiria". PortuGOAL. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  14. ^ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Sporting CP. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Matias Fernandez joins Fiorentina". ACF Fiorentina. 28 July 2012. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  16. ^ "Matías Fernández, el fracaso europeo del que algún día fue el mejor de América" [Matías Fernández, the European failure of who was once America's best]. Publímetro (in Spanish). 4 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Milan-Mati Fernandez, affare sul finale: alle 22 il sì della Fiorentina al prestito!" [Milan-Mati Fernandez, affair ended: Fiorentina said yes to loan at 22!]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  18. ^ Ravelli, Arianna (6 November 2016). "Serie A, Palermo-Milan 1–2. Pagelle Milan: Suso educato, Bonaventura inventa" [Serie A, Palermo-Milan 1–2. Milan marks: Suso the educator, Bonaventura the inventor]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  19. ^ "Risolto il contratto con Mati Fernandez" [Contract resolution with Mati Fernandez] (in Italian). ACF Fiorentina. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  20. ^ "Club Necaxa anuncia a Matías Fernández como refuerzo para el torneo Apertura 2017" [Club Necaxa announce Matías Fernández as addition for Apertura 2017 tournament.] (in Spanish). Club Necaxa. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Matías Fernández, refuerzo estrella del Junior" [Matías Fernández, Junior star signing] (in Spanish). Caracol Radio. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  22. ^ Tapia, Carlos (16 February 2019). "Figura: Matías Fernández hace un gol agónico en su debut por Junior" [Star: Matías Fernández scores agonising goal on his debut for Junior]. La Tercera (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  23. ^ "Matías Fernández vuelve a casa: Llegó a un "pleno acuerdo" con Colo Colo" [Matías Fernández returns home: "Total agreement" reached with Colo Colo] (in Spanish). Al Aire Libre. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  24. ^ Pizarro, Germán (5 March 2021). "Deportes La Serena oficializó el fichaje de Matías Fernández" [Deportes La Serena confirmed Matías Fernández signing] (in Spanish). Primera Fuente. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  25. ^ Zavala, Jaime (14 February 2023). "Se retira un 'crá', el '14': el talentoso Matías Fernández anunció su adiós al fútbol profesional" [Retirement of a 'supastar', the '14': talented Matías Fernández announced his goodbye to professional football] (in Spanish). Radio Bío-Bío. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Matías Fernández lidera la sub 20 chilena en Holanda" [Matías Fernández leads Chilean under 20s in the Netherlands] (in Spanish). Al Aire Libre. 10 June 2005. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Sub 20: Chile aprueba con distinción en su debut" [Under 20: A Plus for Chile on debut]. El Mercurio (in Spanish). 11 June 2005. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  28. ^ Lyon, Sam (16 June 2010). "Honduras 0–1 Chile". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  29. ^ Dawkes, Phil (21 June 2010). "Chile 1–0 Switzerland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  30. ^ Fletcher, Paul (28 June 2010). "Brazil 3–0 Chile". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  31. ^ "Chile's Matias Fernandez out for World Cup with ankle injury". Sports Illustrated. 21 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  32. ^ "Vidal and Vargas lead hosts Chile to opening Copa América victory". The Guardian. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  33. ^ Dawkes, Phil (5 July 2015). "Chile 0–0 Argentina (Chile win 4–1 on penalties)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  34. ^ "Gonzalez replaces Fernandez in Chile's Copa America squad". FourFourTwo. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  35. ^ "Papá, no corras..." [Papa, don't run...] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 24 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
  36. ^ "Genio, goleador y figura" [Genius, scorer and presence] (in Spanish). Familia. 16 February 2007. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2006.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h "M. Fernández". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  38. ^ Pierrend, José Luis. "South American Coach and Player of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
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