Manchester City unveil permanent tribute to Fernandinho

Manchester City unveiled a gigantic tribute to Fernandinho ahead of his final game against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Fernandinho will call time on his trophy-laden City career at the end of the season when his contract expires. He is expected to return to Brazil. 

In recognition of his nine years at the club Fernandinho was presented with a mosaic inspired by his goal in City’s 7-2 victory over Stoke City in 2017 on Sunday morning.

Manchester City have unveiled tributes to Fernandinho (right) ahead of his final game at City

Fernandinho’s goal won the Club’s Goal of the Season award for the 2017-2018 season and will now be remembered at the 80-acre City Football Academy for years to come.

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: ‘This is the perfect tribute to Fernandinho, a player who has served this club with distinction over a nine-year period. 

‘He is a player who has earned everyone’s respect, not just for his performances, which have always been of a consistently high level, but also his attitude and application. He is a true professional. 

In recognition of Fernandinho’s nine years at City, Fernandinho was presented with a mosaic

The mosaic inspired by his goal in City’s 7-2 victory over Stoke City in 2017 (above) 

‘To play so many matches and win 12 trophies – with the chance to win another Premier League title in his final game – is testament to his ability. 

‘His place in Manchester City history is assured. He deserves this tribute and I hope every young footballer who sees this mosaic is inspired by the career he has had.’ 

Fernandinho added: ‘To have a mosaic and pitch in my honour here at the City Football Academy is an incredible gesture, and I am very grateful to the Club. I could never have imagined this when I signed. 

‘It’s been an amazing period of my life and coming to Manchester City was the best decision I have ever made. This is a special way to bring an end to my time here.’

Fernandinho is set to sign for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Athletico Paranaense back in his Brazilian homeland this summer, but admitted he could return to Manchester in the future.

Fernandinho started against Aston Villa and went on to lift his fifth Premier League title 

The 37-year-old veteran has been busy taking his coaching badges and could be part of the Manchester City coaching staff further down the line.  

However, Fernandinho finished the 2021-2022 season on a high and collected his fifth Premier League title when Manchester City beat Aston Villa 3-2. 

Fernandinho took to Twitter ahead of the game to share an old Tweet.

The original Tweet from 2013 read: ‘Time to sleep, tomorrow my first day of work at Man City,I am very anxious…good night!’. 

He retweeted the post from almost a decade ago saying: ‘This is the tweet. Just need to change one word.’