Thiago Fernández

Thiago Cruz Fernández (born 3 April 2004) is an Argentinian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Vélez Sarsfield. He made his debut for the team in 2023 and helped the club win the Argentine Primera División in 2024.

Club career

Fernández began playing football aged four and began training for Vélez Sarsfield when he was 10.[1] He signed his first contract in October 2021, and in April 2023, after being called up to the first team, his deal was extended to December 2025.[2]

On 21 April 2023, Fernández made his debut in the Argentine Primera División by starting in a 2–1 loss away to Colón.[1] He scored his first professional goal on 5 June 2024, a direct free kick in a 2–1 win at Arsenal de Sarandí in the Copa Argentina.[3] His first league goal followed on 21 July in a 3–0 home win over Talleres de Córdoba, with another four days later in a 2–0 victory at Platense.[4]

With three games remaining of the season, on 1 December 2024 against Sarmiento, Fernández suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee, requiring surgery and being sidelined for several months.[5] The team won their 11th league title, beating Talleres to the trophy on the final day; Fernández was recognised as the "great jewel" of the team by TyC Sports.[6]

International career

Fernández was called up to the Argentina under-23 team for two friendly matches against Paraguay ahead of the 2024 Olympic event in France.[7] He played the two games as a starter and substitute respectively, but was not chosen for the final tournament.[8][9][10]

Personal life

Fernández's father Daniel Osvaldo Fernández was also a footballer in the top division, for Ferro Carril Oeste.[2]

Honours

• Argentine Primera División: 2024[6]

References

1. "Thiago Fernández: del baby a la fábrica de Vélez" [Thiago Fernández: from baby football to Vélez's factory]. El Equipo Deportea (in Spanish). 29 September 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
2. "Thiago Fernández extendió su contrato con Vélez" [Thiago Fernández extended his contract with Vélez]. Monte Maíz Mira (in Spanish). 15 April 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
3. "Vélez, a octavos de la Copa Argentina tras vencer a Arsenal" [Vélez, to the last 16 of the Copa Argentina after beating Arsenal] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
4. Leblebidjian, Christian (25 July 2024). "Las gambetas de Thiago Fernández, la ilusión de Vélez para ser protagonista: una ecuación que equilibra la experiencia del ataque" [Thiago Fernández's movements, Vélez's excitement to be protagonist: an equation that balances the experience of the attack]. La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 November 2024.
5. "Sufre Vélez Sarsfield: se confirmó la lesión grave de Thiago Fernández, hombre clave en el esque de Quinteros" [Vélez Sarsfield suffer: serious injury confirmed for Thiago Fernández, key man in Quinteros's team]. Los Andes (in Spanish). 3 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
6. "Juveniles talentosos, refuerzos potenciados y un técnico que dio en la tecla: las claves del Vélez campeón" [Talented youngsters, additions with potencial and a manager who hit the nail on the head: the keys to the champion Vélez team] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
7. "Mascherano dio la lista de la Selección Argentina Sub 23 para los amistosos y Boca es el club con más convocados" [Mascherano reveals the Argentina Under-23 National Team list for the friendlies and Boca is the club with the most players chosen] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
8. "Con un golazo de Zenón y el doblete de Beltrán, Argentina goleó 4-0 a Paraguay en uno de los últimos amistosos antes de los Juegos Olímpicos" [With a wondergoal from Zenón and Beltrán's brace, Argentina thrashed Paraguay 4-0 in one of the last friendlies before the Olympic Games] (in Spanish). Infobae. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
9. "La Selección Argentina Sub 23 le ganó otro amistoso a Paraguay" [Argentina Under-23 National Team won another friendly against Paraguay]. Página 12 (in Spanish). 11 June 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
10. "Así quedó la lista de convocados de la selección argentina Sub 23 para los Juegos Olímpicos París 2024" [How the list of selected players for the Argentina Under-23 National Team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games ended up]. La Nación (in Spanish). 24 July 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.

External links

• Thiago Fernández at Soccerway