FERNANDINHO

“When you’re 5-0 down after 30 minutes of a World Cup semi, your reaction is, ‘Bloody hell, what’s going on?!’ You doubt reality”

Fernandinho has come a long way. Now in his ninth Premier League season, not only will he lead Manchester City in their challenge to retain the trophy – his fourth and counting – but the 36-year-old is also on the verge of another achievement. Having started the 2021-22 campaign only 14 matches short of Willian as the Brazilian with the most appearances in Premier League history, City’s midfield general will surely soon surpass his compatriot.

It’ll come as no surprise when he does. Conspicuous by his consistency over the Sky Blues’ golden era, and a highly influential character within Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad, the Citizens captain has become a role model for the club’s youngsters – and also those much closer to home. The only time Fernandinho politely interrupts a long chat with FFT is to wrap a bandage around the shin of his 11-year-old son Davi, who is training with City’s academy. “Once he saw his dad doing it, then he started to copy, you know?” the City skipper chuckles, pride enveloping his angular face.

There’s plenty to get through. From being benched for City’s eagerly awaited Champions League final in May to almost leaving Manchester in the summer, via trophy hoarding, happy days at Shakhtar Donetsk and his puzzling international career, he’s ready to answer your questions…

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m guessing you didn’t want to be a defensive midfielder when you were growing up in Brazil?! Who was your inspiration back then?

Douglas Bell, Middlesbrough Funnily enough, beyond not wanting to be a defensive midfielder, I wanted to be a goalkeeper! Around the time of the 1990 World Cup, I was five years old and remember that [Claudio] Taffarel was one of the most talked-about players of the national team.

There was constant footage of him on TV and that grabbed my attention. I was also one of the youngest among the group of friends on my street, so they put me in goal. I started to really like it, but eventually my dad had a chat with me and said it would be better for my future if I played outfield.

He was an amateur midfielder, so I changed positions and started to look up to him. Being skinny and quick enabled me to contribute a lot in midfield to the teams I played for.

[: You] I told him that I wanted to become a keeper and we had a laugh about it. He said, “Thank God you didn’t…”