Brazilian · Londrina, Brazil · Born 4 May 1985Tireless Brazilian midfielder whose energy, intelligence and versatility were the engine of Manchester City's domestic dominance.
Fernando Luiz Roza, universally known as Fernandinho, was born on 4 May 1985 in Londrina, Brazil, to Cristiane Machado de Oliveira and Luís Carlos Roza, and grew up in modest circumstances, taking on menial jobs as a boy to help support his family. He joined the youth academy of Atlético Paranaense and turned professional in 2002, the same year he was named the best young player in his state. Fernandinho helped Paranaense reach both the Brazilian championship final and the Copa Libertadores final in the mid-2000s before moving to Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005, where he spent eight seasons becoming one of the finest foreign players in the history of Ukrainian football, winning six league titles and the 2008-09 UEFA Cup, and being voted by Shakhtar's own supporters as the best Brazilian player ever to represent the club. Manchester City signed Fernandinho in 2013, and he went on to spend nine seasons as the disciplined defensive foundation of one of the most successful periods in the club's history, winning five Premier League titles, six EFL Cups, and an FA Cup. He was appointed club captain in 2020 and led City to the 2021 Champions League final, the club's first appearance in the fixture, where they finished runners-up to Chelsea. Fernandinho earned 53 caps for Brazil, representing his country at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and the 2015 and 2019 Copa América, winning the latter tournament on home soil. He returned to Atlético Paranaense in 2022 to close out his career, bringing his journey full circle to the club where it had begun two decades earlier.
Captaining Manchester City during their most successful period
He won five Premier League titles in nine years at Manchester City, making him one of the most decorated Brazilian players in English football history.
Did You Know?How They Played
Versatile defensive midfielder known for work rate, pressing, tactical intelligence and leadership
Lasting Impact
Transformed from attacking midfielder to world-class defensive midfielder, became Manchester City legend
Career Honours
- Premier League 5x
- FA Cup 1x
- League Cup 6x
- UEFA Cup 2009
- Champions League group stage multiple times
- Copa América 2019
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlético Paranaense | 2002–2005 | — | 95 | 21 |
| Shakhtar Donetsk | 2005–2013 | £34m | 184 | 31 |
| Manchester City | 2013–2022 | £34m | 264 | 20 |
| Athletico Paranaense | 2022–2024 | — | 89 | 7 |
 Brazil | — | — | 55 | 5 |
Brazilian Athletes