‘Nothing motivates me anymore’ – Former Man City midfielder Fernandinho retires

Fernandinho, who is forty years old, has made the decision to hang up his boots for good. The former football player, who last played when his team, Athletico Paranaense, was demoted in December 2024, made the announcement following a charity game on Wednesday at Curitiba’s Arena da Baixada.

“I’m exhausted right now. I ran for about thirty minutes today and felt exhausted. I am no longer motivated. In football, I felt satisfied. I made the most of what I could. He said bluntly, “It’s time to enjoy my family now.”

Fernandinho’s career has been lengthy and illustrious. Shakhtar Donetsk gave him the chance to play in Europe after he established himself at Athletico Paranaense and made his debut in the main team from 2002 to 2005. Many Brazilian players used this club as a launching pad into European football.

He spent eight seasons as a member of the Ukrainian squad, contributing 18 assists and 11 goals (all from penalties) in 275 games (2005-2013). The 14 titles he won were also the same as those he earned with Manchester City.

With the ‘Citizens’ from 2013 to 2022, he played 383 games and finished with 26 goals and 27 assists. An outstanding return. His contract with Athletico Paranaense (2022–2024) expired in January of this year, and he returned home after that.

Regarding the Brazil national team, Fernandinho, who won the Copa America in 2019 and the Under-20 World Cup in 2003, played for the ‘Canarinha’ in the World Cups in Brazil (2014) and Russia (2018). He scored one goal while playing in 27 official games.