MOSCOW, Jul 22 Former Russian footballer Mario Fernandez could not transfer to Brazilian “Santos” due to the fact that CSKA Moscow blocked the transfer of a defender, according to Globo Esporte. Fernandez announced in May that he was suspending his contract with CSKA and returning to Brazil. According to the 31-year-old defender, his decision is not related to the events in the world, the player said that he feels the accumulated fatigue and would like to be with his family. After that, information appeared in the Brazilian media that Fernandez could go to Santos. Later, Fernandez's agent Jorge Machado said that the defender would not go to Santos. The press service of the army team said that Fernandez denied rumors about his transition. CSKA also noted that «the transfer of a player is impossible without the consent of the club.» According to Globo Esporte, Santos hoped to sign a contract with Fernandez, who was also interested in continuing his career in a team from Brazil. However, CSKA blocked his transfer, as the army leadership does not want the player to play for any other club. In this regard, negotiations between Fernandez and Santos stopped, and the Brazilian club focused on other transfer purposes. Fernandez moved to CSKA from the Brazilian Gremio in 2012. In total, the footballer played 328 matches for the Red-Blues, scoring 10 goals and giving 46 assists. The defender became a three-time champion of Russia with the army team, and also won the Russian Cup and the Super Cup twice. As part of the Russian national team, for which he made his official debut in 2017, Fernandez played 33 matches in which he scored 5 goals, took part in the 2018 home world championship. In September 2021, Fernandez retired from the national team.
