Matías Fernández

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

This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name 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
Date of birth (1986-05-15) 15 May 1986
Place of birth Caballito, Argentina
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Colo-Colo
Number 14
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 → Milan (loan) 13 (1)
2017–2019 Necaxa 37 (4)
2019 Atlético Junior 11 (1)
2020– Colo-Colo 3 (0)
National team‡
2005 Chile U20 13 (5)
2005– Chile 74 (14)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 February 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 October 2018

After starting out at Colo-Colo, he played several seasons with Villarreal, Sporting and Fiorentina, moving to Europe in 2006.

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

Early life

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 just four.[1]

Club career

Colo-Colo

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 it 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 Colo-Colo on a high note, winning the 2006 Clausura tournament and the South American Footballer of the Year award.

Villarreal

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.[2] 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,[3] scoring his first competitive goal three months later in a 3–0 league win at Gimnàstic de Tarragona.[4]

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 with 30 matches and three goals in 2007–08 as the team 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.[5]

Sporting

On 1 July 2009, after being deemed surplus to requirements by new Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde, Fernández moved to Sporting CP on a four-year contract, for €3.65 million,[6] with a further €500,000 payable depending on appearances. Villarreal would retain 20% of the profit on any future sale of the player.[7]

Fernández scored his first goal for his new team on 27 October 2009, in a 1–1 draw at Vitória de Guimarães,[8] adding another the following week also in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, at home against C.S. Marítimo (again 1–1);[9] in the UEFA Europa League he netted another goal, in injury time of the Lions' 3–0 win over Everton in the competition's round-of-16 (4–2 on aggregate).[10]

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[11] 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.[12]

Fiorentina

On 27 July 2012, Fernández transferred to Italian club ACF Fiorentina for about €3.1 million, plus €1.5 million bonuses.[13][14] During his spell at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, he was consistently bothered by physical problems.[15]

On 31 August 2016, Fernández moved to fellow Serie A team A.C. Milan on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.[16] He made his debut on 6 November, coming off the bench in the 2–1 away victory against U.S. Città di Palermo.[17]

Later years

On 4 September 2017, free agent Fernández signed with Club Necaxa.[18][19] On 4 February 2019 he joined Categoría Primera A defending champions Atlético Junior on a one-year contract,[20] scoring a late equaliser on his debut 12 days later after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 1–1 home draw against Rionegro Águilas; he was named player of the match.[21]

On 18 December 2019, Fernández returned to Colo-Colo by agreeing to a one-year contract with the option for a further season.[22]

International career

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

Also a former under-17 international, Fernández quickly established as an integral part of the full side, netting five goals and appearing for the nation at the 2007 Copa América. After figuring 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.[23]

In May 2014, Fernández underwent an ankle surgery on his right foot, thus being unable to participate in that year's World Cup.[24] 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;[25] 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.[26]

Fernández was initially named in Chile's Copa América Centenario squad, but had to withdraw through injury and was replaced by Mark González[27] as the nation again won the tournament.

Personal life

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.[28]

Before moving to Europe, Fernández was often compared to compatriot David Pizarro, who spent most of his professional career in Italy.[29]

Career statistics
Fernández with Colo-Colo in 2006

Club
As of match played 16 February 2019[30]
Club Season League Cup International Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Colo-Colo 2004 Primera División 2380000238
2005 2990000299
2006 302000003020
Total 823700008237
Villarreal 2006–07 La Liga 2010000201
2007–08 3030000303
2008–09 2130070283
Total 7170070787
Sporting 2009–10 Primeira Liga 28351131465
2010–11 2152062297
2011–12 20470113387
Total 691214130611319
Fiorentina 2012–13 Serie A 2213000251
2013–14 23350100383
2014–15 2924080412
2015–16 2210050271
Total 9671202301317
Milan 2016–17 Serie A 1310000131
Total 1310000131
Necaxa 2017–18 Liga MX 2014100242
2018–19 1731000183
Total 3745100425
Junior 2019 Primera A 11000011
Total 11000011
Career Total 3696931260646077

International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 October 2006Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile Peru1–13–2Pacific Cup
2.8 October 2006Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile Peru2–13–2Pacific Cup
3.7 February 2007José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo, Venezuela Venezuela0–10–1Friendly
4.17 October 2007Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Peru2–02–02010 World Cup qualification
5.10 September 2008Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Colombia4–04–02010 World Cup qualification
6.29 March 2009Monumental "U", Lima, Peru Peru1–31–32010 World Cup qualification
7.6 June 2009Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay Paraguay0–10–22010 World Cup qualification
8.26 March 2011Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal Portugal1–11–1Friendly
9.29 March 2011Kyocera, The Hague, Netherlands Colombia0–10–2Friendly
10.19 June 2011David Arellano, Santiago, Chile Estonia1–04–0Friendly
11.7 October 2011Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina3–14–12014 World Cup qualification
12.29 February 2012PPL Park, Pennsylvania, United States Ghana1–11–1Friendly
13.9 June 2012José Antonio Anzoátegui, Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela Venezuela0–10–22014 World Cup qualification
14.11 September 2012David Arellano, Santiago, Chile Colombia1–01–32014 World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Colo-Colo[31]

Sporting[31]

Fiorentina[31]

Milan[31]

Necaxa[31]

International

Chile[31]

Individual

References
  1. "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.
  2. "Villarreal sign Chilean starlet". UEFA. 28 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  3. "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)] (in Spanish). Libertad Digital. 7 January 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  4. "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.
  5. 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.
  6. "Sporting give Fernández a chance". UEFA. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  7. "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  8. "Mais depressão do que pressão" [More depression than pressure]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 28 October 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  9. "Leão empata com sabor a derrota" [Lion draws with the taste of a loss] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  10. 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.
  11. "Liga round-up: Sporting close gap". PortuGOAL. 6 November 2011. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  12. "Late Matias strike earns Sporting victory at Leiria". PortuGOAL. 2 April 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  13. "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Sporting CP. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  14. "Matias Fernandez joins Fiorentina". ACF Fiorentina. 28 July 2012. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  15. "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]. Publimetro (in Spanish). 4 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  16. "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.
  17. "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). 6 November 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  18. "Risolto il contratto con Mati Fernandez" [Contract resolution with Mati Fernandez] (in Italian). ACF Fiorentina. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  19. "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.
  20. "Matías Fernández, refuerzo estrella del Junior" [Matías Fernández, Junior star signing] (in Spanish). Caracol Radio. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  21. 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.
  22. "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.
  23. Matías Fernández – FIFA competition record
  24. "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.
  25. "Vidal and Vargas lead hosts Chile to opening Copa América victory". The Guardian. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  26. Dawkes, Phil (5 July 2015). "Chile 0–0 Argentina (Chile win 4–1 on penalties)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  27. "Gonzalez replaces Fernandez in Chile's Copa America squad". FourFourTwo. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  28. "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.
  29. "Matías Fernández: Genius, scorer and presence" (in Spanish). Familia. 16 February 2007. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2006.
  30. "M. Fernández". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  31. "M. Fernández – Trophies". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  32. Pierrend, José Luis. "South American Coach and Player of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
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