Ignacio Martín Fernández (Spanish pronunciation: [iɣˈnasjo feɾˈnandes]; born 12 January 1990) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a midfielder for River Plate.[1][2]
.jpg) Fernández playing for River Plate in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ignacio Martín Fernández | ||
| Date of birth | 12 January 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Castelli, Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | River Plate | ||
| Number | 26 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Dudignac | |||
| 2003–2010 | Gimnasia La Plata | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2016 | Gimnasia La Plata | 109 | (16) |
| 2011–2012 | → Temperley (loan) | 29 | (9) |
| 2016–2021 | River Plate | 94 | (8) |
| 2021–2022 | Atlético Mineiro | 77 | (14) |
| 2023– | River Plate | 55 | (6) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2017 | Argentina | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:11, 2 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 January 2018 | |||
Club career
editEarly career
editBorn in Castelli, Buenos Aires Province, Fernández's first playing years were with Club Atlético y Social Dudignac. At the age of 13, he joined Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata's youth ranks.[3] He made his professional debut for El Lobo on 2 October 2010, in a 4–2 league defeat to Argentinos Juniors.[4]
In 2011, Fernández was sent on a one-year loan to Temperley in the Primera B Metropolitana. He made 30 appearances, scored 10 goals and made eight assistances for the side during that season.
In 2012, Fernández returned to Gimnasia, then recently relegated to the Primera B Nacional. He promptly earned a spot in the starting lineup and contributed with three goals and eight assists to the club's return to the first division. On 17 August 2013, he scored his first Primera División goal, the last in a 3–1 win over Rosario Central.[5]
Fernández was the top scorer of Gimnasia in the 2015 season, with nine goals.
River Plate
editOn 7 January 2016, Fernández joined River Plate on a four-and-a-half-year deal. Los Millonarios paid US$ 2.1 million for 70% of his economic rights.[6][7] He made his debut on 24 January, in a preseason Superclásico which River won 1–0.[8] Throughout the 2016 season, he established himself in Marcelo Gallardo's team, forming a midfield line alongside Leonardo Ponzio, Andrés D'Alessandro and Pity Martínez. In August, he started in both legs of the 2016 Recopa Sudamericana, the first competitive honour of his career.[9] In December, he won with River the 2015–16 Copa Argentina.[10]
On 9 December 2017, Fernández scored the winning goal in the 2016–17 Copa Argentina final against Atlético Tucumán, won 2–1 by River.[11]
Fernández appeared in 12 of the 14 matches of River's campaign in the 2018 Copa Libertadores, including both legs of the final against Boca Juniors. In the second leg, he assisted Lucas Pratto's equalizing goal, which forced the contest into extra-time; River scored twice in the added 30 minutes and won the title, which had extra significance in the fact that it was the first time a Superclásico was contested in the final of a continental competition.[12]
In 2019, Fernández was assigned the number 10 shirt.[13] On 30 May, in his first match with the new number, he scored the opening goal in the second leg of the 2019 Recopa Sudamericana against Athletico Paranaense, which River won 3–1 on aggregate.[14] On 13 December, he scored the second goal in the 2018–19 Copa Argentina final, a 3–0 triumph over Central Córdoba.[15]
Atlético Mineiro
editOn 20 February 2021, Fernández joined Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro on a three-year deal.[16] The transfer fee was a reported US$ 6 million, placing it as a joint-record signing for the club, alongside the deals for Yimmi Chará and Matías Zaracho.[17] He made his debut on 19 March, in a 3–0 Campeonato Mineiro win over Coimbra; he opened the score, assisted the second goal for Igor Rabello and was fouled in the box, with Hulk scoring from the resulting penalty kick.[18]
Fernández was one of the team's standout players for much of the season, playing in an attacking midfielder role behind center forward Hulk; his performances in the victorious state championship campaign earned him a nomination to the team of tournament.[19] On 2 July, he scored twice in a 4–1 Série A win over Atlético Goianiense.[20] On 14 October, he took part in all three goals of a 3–1 league win over Santos, scoring a brace and assisting a Nathan Silva header.[21]
In the final stretch of the Série A and the Copa do Brasil, after facing a series of muscle injuries coupled with the consolidation of Diego Costa in the starting lineup, Fernández was restricted mainly to making second half appearances.[22] Despite this, his overall contribution to Atlético's domestic treble winning season, with 10 goals and 11 assists in 52 games, earned him nominations to both the Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão and Bola de Prata awards.[23][24]
Return to River Plate
editOn 22 December 2022, River Plate announced the return of Fernández to the club.[25]
International career
editIn May 2017, Fernández received his first call up to the Argentina national team.[26] He made his international debut in a friendly win against Singapore on 13 June, coming off the bench in the 75th minute and assisting an Ángel Di María goal to complete the 6–0 score.[27]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 15 May 2024[28]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) | 2010–11 | Argentine Primera División | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2012–13 | Primera B Nacional | 32 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 33 | 4 | |||
| 2013–14 | Argentine Primera División | 28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 2 | |||
| 2014 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | — | 19 | 2 | |||
| 2015 | 31 | 9 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 9 | ||||
| Total | 109 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 17 | ||
| Temperley (loan) | 2011–12 | Primera B Metropolitana | 29 | 9 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 30 | 10 | ||
| River Plate | 2016 | Argentine Primera División | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6[b] | 2 | 2[c] | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| 2016–17 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11[b] | 3 | — | 38 | 4 | |||
| 2017–18 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12[b] | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 37 | 2 | ||
| 2018–19 | 19 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 13[b] | 3 | 8[e] | 2 | 46 | 8 | ||
| 2019–20 | 18 | 5 | — | 10[b] | 3 | — | 28 | 8 | ||||
| 2020 | — | — | — | 7[f] | 2 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 94 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 52 | 11 | 18 | 4 | 174 | 26 | ||
| Atlético Mineiro | 2021 | Série A | 26 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 10[b] | 1 | 7[g] | 3 | 52 | 10 |
| 2022 | 34 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10[b] | 2 | 11[h] | 3 | 57 | 9 | ||
| Total | 60 | 9 | 11 | 1 | 20 | 3 | 18 | 6 | 109 | 19 | ||
| River Plate | 2023 | Argentine Primera División | 40 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — | 50 | 5 | |
| 2024 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1[i] | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||
| Total | 56 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 73 | 6 | ||
| Career totals | 348 | 48 | 30 | 6 | 87 | 14 | 38 | 11 | 502 | 78 | ||
- ^ Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
- ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in Copa Libertadores
- ^ Appearances in Recopa Sudamericana
- ^ Appearance in Supercopa Argentina
- ^ Two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup, four appearances and one goal in Copa de la Superliga, two appearances and one goal in Recopa Sudamericana
- ^ Appearances in Copa de la Liga Profesional
- ^ Appearances in Campeonato Mineiro
- ^ Ten appearances and two goals in Campeonato Mineiro, one appearance and one goal in Supercopa do Brasil
- ^ Appearance in Supercopa Argentina
Honours
editRiver Plate
- Copa Libertadores: 2018
- Recopa Sudamericana: 2016, 2019
- Argentine Primera División: 2023
- Copa Argentina: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19
- Supercopa Argentina: 2017
Atlético Mineiro
Individual
- Copa Libertadores Team of the Tournament: 2019
- Copa Argentina Team of the Tournament: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19
- South American Team of the Year: 2019, 2020
- Best Central Midfielder in Brazil: 2021[29]
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Tournament: 2021
- Bola de Prata: 2021
- Campeonato Mineiro Team of the Tournament: 2021
References
edit- ^ "Primerar". Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ "Recopa Sudamericana: River viaja a Colombia con Ignacio Fernández listo para ser titular". La Nacion. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ ""Nacho" Fernández tuvo su reconocimiento en Dudignac" [«Nacho» Fernández gained his recognition in Dudignac] (in Spanish). Diario El 9 de Julio. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Argentinos Juniors derrotó a Gimnasia" [Argentinos Juniors defeated Gimnasia] (in Spanish). Mundo D. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Gimnasia le gano a Central 3 a 1" [Gimnasia beat Central 3 to 1] (in Spanish). Diario LM Neuquén. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Ignacio Fernández: "Es un orgullo enorme estar en River"" [Ignacio Fernández: "It is an enormous pride to be at River"] (in Spanish). Club Atlético River Plate. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Nacho Fernández ya es jugador de River" [Nacho Fernández already a River player] (in Spanish). Goal. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021. [dead link]
- ^ "Nacho Fernández, #FiguraRiver del Superclásico" [Nacho Fernández, #FiguraRiver of the Superclásico] (in Spanish). Club Atlético River Plate. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Recopa: River le gana 2 a 1 a Santa Fe y es bicampeón" [Recopa: River beats Santa Fe 2 to 1 and is a two-time champion] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "River 4 - Rosario Central 3 (15 de diciembre de 2016)" [River 4 - Rosario Central 3 (15 December 2016)] (in Spanish). Copa Argentina. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "River 2 - Atlético Tucumán 1 (9 de diciembre de 2017)" [River 2 - Atlético Tucumán 1 (9 December 2017)] (in Spanish). Copa Argentina. 9 December 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Copa Libertadores: River Plate le gana a Boca Juniors la final de las finales para cerrar una de las historias más extraordinarias e inverosímiles del fútbol sudamericano" [Copa Libertadores: River Plate beats Boca Juniors in the final of the finals to conclude one of the most extraordinary and unlikely stories of South American football] (in Spanish). BBC. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "River tiene nuevo 10 para la Recopa" [River has a new 10 for the Recopa] (in Spanish). Diario Olé. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "River goleó 3-0 a Atlético Paranaense, ganó otra Recopa Sudamericana y explotó el Monumental" [River trounces Atlético Paranaense 3-0, wins another Recopa Sudamericana and explodes the Monumental]. La Nación (in Spanish). 31 May 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ Ruya, Ariel (13 December 2019). "River campeón de la Copa Argentina: goleó por 3-0 a Central Córdoba y festeja a lo grande en Mendoza" [River Copa Argentina champion: trounced Central Córdoba 3-0 and celebrates in Mendoza]. La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Craque argentino na área: Nacho Fernández é Galo!" [Argentine star arrives: Nacho Fernández is Galo!] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Clube Atlético Mineiro. 20 February 2021. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ Ribeiro, Fred; Frossard, Guilherme (18 February 2021). "Nacho vem ao Atlético-MG com status de melhor da Argentina (como Pratto em 2014) e custo de Chará e Zaracho" [Nacho comes to Atlético-MG with the status as Argentina's best player (like Pratto in 2014) and for the same value as Chará and Zaracho] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GE. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "Estreia de Galo" [Galo's debut] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Clube Atlético Mineiro. 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
- ^ "Fábio, do Cruzeiro, é eleito o Craque do Mineiro; Atlético-MG e América-MG dominam a seleção" [Cruzeiro's Fábio is voted the best of the Mineiro; Atlético-MG and América-MG dominate team of the tournament] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GE. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "Em noite de argentinos, Atlético-MG ignora melhor defesa, goleia e encerra jejum" [In a night of the Argentinians, Atlético-MG thrash the best defense and end bad spell] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GE. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "De virada, Atlético-MG bate Santos e chega a 18 jogos de invencibilidade no Brasileirão" [Atlético-MG on 18-game unbeaten run after turnaround win over Santos] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GE. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "Nacho Fernández avalia maratona de jogos sem pré-temporada no Atlético-MG: "Me custou"" [Nacho Fernández assess volume of matches without a preseason: "It has costed me"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GE. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "ESPN Bola de Prata Sportingbet: Nacho faz valer admiração de Maradona e leva prêmio como 'cérebro' do Atlético-MG" [ESPN Bola de Prata Sportingbet: Nacho honors Maradona's admiration and is rewarded as the 'brain' of Atlético-MG] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "Hulk domina premiação do Brasileirão, e Michael, do Flamengo, é Craque da Galera" [Hulk dominates Brasileirão award night, and Flamengo's Michael is voted as fan favorite] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GE. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "Nacho Fernández" (in Spanish). Club Atlético River Plate. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ "Rulli, Correa y Nacho Fernández a la Selección" [Rulli, Correa and Nacho Fernández to the national team] (in Spanish). Inferiores Platenses. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Alario y Nacho, presentes en la goleada de Argentina" [Alario and Nacho, present in Argentina's trouncing] (in Spanish). Club Atlético River Plate. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ Ignacio Fernández at Soccerway
- ^ "Confira todos os ganhadores do Troféu Mesa Redonda 2021 - Gazeta Esportiva". www.gazetaesportiva.com. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
External links
edit- Profile at River Plate's official website
- Ignacio Fernández at Soccerway