Fernando: My planet Etihad joy
MANCHESTER CITY new boy Fernando reckons his move to the Premier League champions is out of this world – and he should know.
For the £12million midfield destroyer – signed from Porto by City boss Manuel Pellegrini – comes from a Brazilian town famous for UFO sightings.
Fernando, who joined his new teammates on City’s tour of the USA, said: ”I grew up in Alto Paraiso – a very small place, but also very beautiful and touristy.
“It is famous for having many waterfalls – and also the fact that some people claim to have seen UFOs.
“Many people say that they have seen spaceships but I haven’t seen one yet!”
Fernando almost came to the Premier League a year ago, but a deal with Everton fell through at the last minute.
He hopes his arrival at City brings the same recognition that earned fellow Brazilian Fernandinho a World Cup place.
But the 26-year-old has been an international outcast since pushing over a referee during a draw with Chile at the 2007 South American Under-20 Championships in Paraguay.
Temper
He was banned from the tournament – and has not worn the Brazil shirt since.
Fernando said: “It is clear that it had an impact on my career and my future when it comes to international football. But I was only young and very fiery.
“I lost my temper and pushed the referee. It was a big mistake and I regret what I did, but I’m nothing like that now. I’m a man. Back then, I was just a kid.”
Brazil could have done with the hard-tackling Fernando as they fell apart at their own World Cup, but even his attempts to play for Portugal after years living there hit the buffers.
He added: ”It was FIFA who decided I was not allowed to play for Portugal.
”I am concentrating on playing for Manchester City, but hopefully that will open the door to playing for Brazil – like it did for Fernandinho.”
Pellegrini has earmarked a specific enforcer role for Fernando, who revealed: “The manager told me he needed a player that was good defensively to improve the team.
“City had a really good team last year, but I think the manager saw a weakness.
“My role is to stop the other team. I noticed that in the Premier League players who tackle hard are also loved by the fans.”
Fernando was speaking in New York at the City squad’s visit to a youth training camp in The Bronx.