Fernandinho Singles Out Manchester City Icon That Made Him 'Fall In Love With Football Again'

A glimpse at Pep Guardiola’s trophy haul at Manchester City alone is enough to tell a story about the overwhelmingly successful association so far.

Since his appointment in the summer of 2016, the Catalan boss has won a staggering four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four successive Carabao Cups, while also leading Manchester City to their first-ever Champions League final in 2021.

However, one of the decorated manager’s most monumental achievements at the Etihad Stadium remains his excellent track record of improving players.

Raheem Sterling’s transformation from a gifted wide-man to one of the best wingers in the world remains one of the standout examples.

Other names include the likes of Fabian Delph, Bernardo Silva, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Rodri - just to name a few have also experienced an enormous upturn in their performances under Pep Guardiola’s keen eye.

However, Fernandinho is another such figure that can be added to the aforementioned list.

While the Brazilian veteran was already one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe before Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium, his game reached an unprecedented level after picking the legendary coach’s mind.

From a defensive standpoint, the Catalan tactician elevated the former Shakhtar Donetsk man’s game to the point where he was able to operate as a lone number six behind two free eights in David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.

Technically speaking as well, the Manchester City legend’s range of passing was unrecognisably expansive after the former Bayern Munich boss’ arrival.

While tactically, the two-time Champions League winner improved Fernandinho's game tenfold by entrusting the player to operate in a multitude of positions — from defensive midfield, centre-back, to right-back.

Before Fernandinho departed East Manchester to join boyhood club Athletico Paranaense this summer, he paid a massive compliment to his coach.

“You made me fall in love with football again”, he personally told Pep Guardiola in a one-to-one conversation with the Manchester City boss, as revealed in a brand new CITY+ documentary starring the 37-year old; ‘The Last Game’.

The behind-the-scenes documentary features exclusive footage from the former club skipper’s final season at the Etihad Stadium, with the duo sharing a heartfelt moment in the teaser.

It is key to remember that when the former Barcelona head coach had arrived in England six years ago, Fernandinho was already 31 years of age.

A pivotal reason behind the all-encompassing midfielder playing on for an additional six seasons is Pep Guardiola - who expressed his full faith in the man who ultimately became Manchester City captain, both on and off the pitch from day one.

A four-time Premier League champion under the revered manager’s tutelage, Fernandinho bid farewell to English football as one of the division’s true all-time greats.