Fernandinho has officially announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned over two decades. The 40-year-old midfielder, who rose to prominence in European football and made his mark with the Brazilian national team, concluded his journey where it began — at Athletico-PR.

His farewell took place on Wednesday during a charity match at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, offering fans a final opportunity to celebrate his legacy.

“I’m tired already. I got worn out just running for a little over 30 minutes today. Nothing in football motivates me anymore; I’ve achieved everything I wanted in the sport. I made the most of every opportunity. Now it’s time to enjoy life with my family,” the former midfielder said.

Fernandinho’s final official appearance remains a painful memory for Athletico-PR supporters. It came in a 1–0 defeat to Atlético-MG at Independência on the last matchday of the 2024 Série A season — a result that confirmed the club’s relegation. He closed the campaign with 46 matches, eight goals, and seven assists.

A Manchester City legend

While revered at Athletico-PR, Fernandinho also cemented his status as a club icon at Manchester City. During his nine seasons in England, he made 383 appearances, scored 26 goals, and lifted 12 major trophies. Many regard him as the greatest Brazilian to ever play in the Premier League.

His career also included a highly successful spell at Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won six Ukrainian league titles and a UEFA Cup (now the Europa League).

International career

For Brazil, Fernandinho earned 53 caps and scored twice. He represented his country at the 2014 World Cup on home soil and the 2018 edition in Russia.