Manchester City defensive midfielder, Fernandinho left his club’s coach, Pep Guardiola stunned when he confirmed that he has decided to leave the club this summer.
Fernandinho is the first team captain of Manchester City but has not been playing regularly despite occupying such an important role at the club.
Note that the 36-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder has been at Manchester City since July 1, 2013, after he joined the club from Shakhtar Donetsk for a transfer fee worth €40 million.
Since then, the Brazilian footballer has played 373 games in all competitions in which he scored 25 goals and provided 32 assists.
But so far this season, Fernandinho has managed to play only 23 games in all competitions in which he scored a goal and provided two assists.
Fernandinho who currently earns £180,000 per week at Manchester City has until June 30, 2022, before his contract with the club expires. But the Brazilian footballer is not interested in renewing his contract with the club since he has not been playing as much as he wanted.
Ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, at 20:00 in Madrid, the Brazilian footballer disclosed to reporters that he has decided to return to Brazil this summer.
“Yes, I want to play. I want to play regularly”, he answered when he was asked if he would renew his contract with Manchester City.
“I will go back to Brazil. I decided with my family, which is the most important for me.”
🗣️ "I don't think so…"#MCFC captain Fernandinho says he will NOT be extending his contract at the club after this season ✍️❌ pic.twitter.com/Xy6IjefEf2
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 12, 2022
After he made this confirmation ahead of the important Champions League game, the Brazilian football veteran took to Twitter to clarify that he is still focused on the goals of Manchester City for this season.
“I was 100% honest and spontaneous in answering that question at today’s press conference”, he tweeted. “But anyone who knows me also knows that my greatest honesty is with Man City and my duties as team captain.
“My focus is 100% on winning all the titles we are playing for and I will only talk about my future at the end of the season. Let’s keep pushing!”
My focus is 100% on winning all the titles we are playing for and I will only talk about my future at the end of the season. Let’s keep pushing! 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/MGVcf6VVz0
— Fernandinho (@fernandinho) April 12, 2022
Pep Guardiola reacts to Fernandinho’s announcement
After Fernandinho had his time at the pre-match press conference for the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, coach Pep Guardiola came on and was asked to react to the player’s announcement.
The Spanish coach noted that he was hearing about Fernandinho’s decision to leave the club for the first time, adding that the Brazilian defensive midfielder is still very important for the club.
Guardiola said: “Oh! I didn’t know. You give me the news. I didn’t hear it.
“We will see what happens. I don’t know what will happen. He is so important. I’ll ask him…
“At the end of the season we talk, maybe it’s because of his family. I would love it. We will talk…
Pep Guardiola’s reaction to finding out Fernandinho is leaving the club at the end of the season. 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/YCcq5tvPzR
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 12, 2022
“The role he plays this season – I like the people who behave behind the scenes.
“I know what he has done, behind me, he handles many of our players and stars for the benefit of the team.
“I praise him and he was here when I arrive. Raheem (Sterling), Kevin (De Bruyne), John (Stones), and a few players.
“We know him well, from day one to now always here.
“An incredible player for Man City. There are things nobody knows but I know exactly.”
"This is a real captain!" 🙌
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 12, 2022
Pep Guardiola praises the work Fernandinho has done off the pitch for Manchester City after the midfielder announced today he would not be signing a new contract at the club. pic.twitter.com/a9SLnXP58p
Meet Fernandinho’s family
Fernandinho has been a family man for a long time. The Brazilian footballer has been married to his childhood sweetheart, Glaucia Rosa since 2007.
They got married when the Brazilian footballer was playing for a Ukrainian club, Shakhtar Donetsk, six years before he joined Manchester City.
The marriage between Fernandinho and his 36-year-old wife is blessed with two children. Their firstborn, Davi Roza (son) was born on March 5, 2010. Their second child, Mariana Roza (daughter) arrived on February 20, 2017.
