Mario Fernandes retires from international duty with Russia

Brazilian-born full-back Mario Fernandes has announced his retirement from representing his adopted country. The CSKA defender won 33 caps and scored five goals since his debut in September 2017.

“All football players dream of playing at the World Cup, so the quarter-finals of the World Cup are still a special moment. That match will always remain in my memory,” he said.

The most notable strike for Fernandes was undoubtedly his equaliser in the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Croatia to take the game to penalties. The 30-year-old has decided to focus on his club career after amassing over 300 games for the Armymen in nine full seasons in the Russian Premier Liga.