Overview
Matías Ariel Fernández Fernández, commonly known as Matías Fernández, is a former Chilean professional footballer who primarily operated as an attacking midfielder. Born on May 15, 1986, in Merlo, Argentina, Fernández gained prominence for his exceptional technical skills, vision, and ability to score from long range and set-pieces. Standing at 1.77 m, his relatively compact stature belied a powerful shot and an astute understanding of space, allowing him to dictate play from the number 10 role or deeper in central midfield. His career saw him play for clubs in Chile, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Mexico, making a significant impact in each league he featured in. Internationally, Fernández was a key figure for the Chile national football team, earning 70 caps and contributing to their historic Copa América triumph in 2015.
Position
Fernández was predominantly an attacking midfielder, often deployed as a classic number 10 behind the strikers. This role allowed him to leverage his playmaking abilities, vision, and passing range. Throughout his career, he also demonstrated versatility, capable of playing as a central midfielder in a deeper role, where his defensive work rate and ability to launch attacks from midfield were utilized. His capacity to operate effectively in various midfield positions made him a valuable asset to his clubs and country, adapting to different tactical setups while maintaining his creative influence on the game.
Identity
Matías Fernández's footballing identity was built around his elegance on the ball and his capacity for moments of individual brilliance. He was often described as a 'classic playmaker,' a player who could unlock defenses with a single pass or a sudden strike from distance. His free-kick taking was a particular highlight, with many memorable goals coming directly from set-piece situations. Beyond his attacking contributions, Fernández was also known for his leadership qualities and a calm demeanor under pressure, making him a respected figure in the dressing room and on the pitch.
Career path
Matías Fernández's journey in professional football began in Chile, despite his Argentine birthplace, moving through youth ranks to senior football and eventually to Europe's top leagues.
Colo-Colo (2004–2007)
Fernández began his youth career at Colo-Colo in Chile, making his senior debut for the club in 2004. He quickly established himself as a prodigious talent, culminating in a standout 2006 season where he led the club to win the Torneo Apertura and Torneo Clausura. His performances, including scoring 20 goals in 36 league appearances during 2006, earned him the South American Footballer of the Year award, attracting significant European interest.
Villarreal CF (2007–2009)
In October 2006, Fernández signed with Spanish club Villarreal CF for a reported fee of €8.7 million, joining in January 2007 (Transfermarkt). He spent two and a half seasons with the Yellow Submarine, making 71 appearances and scoring 7 goals in La Liga. While showing flashes of brilliance, he faced stiff competition for a starting spot in a talented Villarreal squad.
Sporting CP (2009–2012)
Fernández moved to Portuguese giants Sporting CP in July 2009 for a fee of €3.5 million (Transfermarkt). In Lisbon, he became a more consistent starter and a key player, often operating as the team's primary creative force. He made 108 appearances across all competitions, scoring 19 goals, and helped Sporting reach the Taça de Portugal final in 2012.
ACF Fiorentina (2012–2016)
In the summer of 2012, Fernández transferred to Italian Serie A club Fiorentina for €4.5 million (Transfermarkt). He spent four seasons in Florence, becoming an integral part of their midfield. He made 118 appearances for La Viola, scoring 7 goals, and was part of the squad that reached the 2014 Coppa Italia final.
AC Milan (loan, 2016–2017)
During the 2016–17 season, Fernández had a loan spell at fellow Serie A club AC Milan, reuniting with former Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella. He made 13 league appearances, scoring 1 goal, and contributed to Milan's Supercoppa Italiana victory in December 2016.
Necaxa (2017–2019)
In September 2017, Fernández moved to Liga MX club Necaxa (Transfermarkt). He spent two seasons in Mexico, where he continued to showcase his playmaking abilities, making 51 appearances and scoring 4 goals.
Junior (2019)
A brief stint at Colombian club Junior followed in 2019, where he played 11 matches before returning to Chile.
Colo-Colo (2020)
Fernández made an emotional return to his boyhood club Colo-Colo in 2020, playing 17 league matches before concluding his professional career.
Playing style
Matías Fernández's playing style was characterized by a blend of technical finesse, passing vision, and a potent shot from distance. As an attacking midfielder, his primary role was to link the midfield and attack, creating goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He possessed exceptional close control and dribbling ability, allowing him to navigate tight spaces and retain possession under pressure. This made him a difficult player to dispossess, often drawing fouls in dangerous areas.
His passing range was another significant attribute. Fernández could deliver incisive through balls to split defenses, as well as switch play effectively with long, accurate passes. His vision allowed him to spot runs that others might miss, making him a genuine creative hub for his teams. According to FBref, his involvement in progressive passes and shot-creating actions was consistently high during his prime years, underscoring his influence in offensive phases.
One of Fernández's most distinctive traits was his proficiency from set-pieces. He was a renowned free-kick taker, capable of curling shots over walls or striking them with power and dip, making him a constant threat from outside the box. This specialized skill often provided crucial goals and assists, adding another dimension to his attacking game. His shooting technique was clean, and he was adept at striking the ball with both power and precision, often finding the top corners from range.
While not known for blistering pace, his intelligence in movement and positioning compensated, allowing him to find pockets of space between opposition lines. Defensively, he showed a willingness to track back and press, particularly in later stages of his career when deployed in slightly deeper central midfield roles. Comparisons have often been drawn to other technically gifted South American playmakers like Juan Román Riquelme, due to his emphasis on vision, passing, and set-piece ability, rather than sheer athleticism.
Achievements & honours
Matías Fernández enjoyed a successful career at both club and international levels, collecting several significant team trophies and individual accolades. His most notable achievement came with the Chile national team, contributing to a historic period for the country.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Colo-Colo | Primera División de Chile (Torneo Apertura) | 2006 |
| Colo-Colo | Primera División de Chile (Torneo Clausura) | 2006 |
| AC Milan | Supercoppa Italiana | 2016 |
International Honours
| National Team | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | Copa América | 2015 |
Individual Honours
- South American Footballer of the Year: 2006 (Wikipedia)
- Chilean Footballer of the Year: 2006
- Copa Sudamericana Top Scorer: 2006
Fernández's individual award as South American Footballer of the Year in 2006 was a testament to his exceptional performances with Colo-Colo, where he was instrumental in their domestic success and deep run in the Copa Sudamericana. This recognition highlighted his status as one of the continent's most promising talents before his move to Europe.
International career
Matías Fernández was a prominent figure for the Chile national football team, earning 70 caps and scoring 14 goals during a career that spanned over a decade. His debut for La Roja came in 2005, and he quickly established himself as a key creative force in the midfield.
He represented Chile in several major tournaments, showcasing his talent on the global stage. Fernández was part of the squad that participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where Chile reached the Round of 16 under coach Marcelo Bielsa. He also featured in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, though his involvement was limited due to injury concerns.
Fernández's most significant international achievement came in 2015 when he played a crucial role in Chile's historic Copa América triumph. Hosted on home soil, Chile won their first major international trophy, defeating Argentina in the final. Fernández started in several matches and contributed with his characteristic vision and set-piece delivery throughout the tournament (Wikipedia). He was also part of the squad that reached the final of the Copa América Centenario in 2016, though he did not feature in the final match.
His international career was marked by his ability to perform under pressure and deliver decisive moments, particularly from free-kicks. Fernández's contribution to the national team's golden generation is well-recognized, making him a revered figure among Chilean football fans.
What makes Matías Fernández stand out
Matías Fernández distinguished himself through a combination of elegant playmaking and a unique ability to influence games with individual moments of brilliance. His standout trait was arguably his exceptional technique and command over the ball, which allowed him to execute complex passes and maintain possession in tight areas. This made him a classic number 10, capable of unlocking defenses with a single, perfectly weighted pass.
Another defining characteristic was his prowess from set-pieces. Fernández was renowned for his free-kick taking, capable of scoring from various distances and angles. These moments often turned the tide of matches, adding a potent weapon to his teams' attacking arsenal. His ability to strike the ball with power, curl, and dip made him one of the most feared dead-ball specialists of his era. Finally, his vision and footballing intelligence allowed him to read the game a step ahead, often finding spaces and passes that others couldn't.
"Matías Fernández is a player with immense quality, a true artist on the ball who can change a game with one touch." – Manuel Pellegrini, former Villarreal and Real Betis manager.