Matias Fernandez set foot on the European pedestal having dazzled those in audience at the Estadio Monumental in Chile, his somewhat youthful age not inhibiting a confidence that reached a sky-high altitude when he ripened into a prominent figure in the ranks of Colo Colo and, in doing so, infiltrating his name into the select handful who are spoken of as South America’s budding hopes.
Fusing together a Chilean delegation on the eastern-coast of Spain, Fernandez united with countryman Manuel Pellegrini at Villarreal for a fee in the region of €8.7m, becoming the most costly export of his country. Faced with identical downfalls as other South American clubs, Colo Colo were never honestly capable of retaining the brilliance of their gifted creative midfielder as the irresistible wealth from Europe would inevitably prevail. An imposing ratio of averaging above one goal in every other game, 33 goals in 63 appearances to be precise, also indicated that the time had arrived for Fernandez to seek fresh challenges after proving himself in the Primera División de Chile.
Pellegrini’s origin of birth might have acted as a potential deciding factor over any other proposals which were tendered, luring a comforted Fernandez to El Madrigal, after all sharing the same nationality as the manager would, if anything, be a calming influence amid the hectic transition from one culture to another. Buoyant and merry from conquering his homeland’s top-flight division, he calmfully allayed fears of failing to settle down in Spain by declaring “I feel extremely well-equipped to play there”. This was back in January 2007, as we stand today, the occupant of the prestigous 2006 South American Footballer Of The Year accolade is staying on the Iberian peninsula but he will be calling the Portuguese capital of Lisbon his new home.
Unfortunately for all parties, it has to be said, the outcome of the transfer ended differently to how many had forecast. The reasons behind it’s deflating nature could be projected on various factors: an impatience to wait for Fernandez to adjust to the faster-pace of the Primera Liga, the alarming deficiency of end product when he did clock up minutes or the complexity of accomodating a second-striker into an effective formation. In truth, it is a mixture of the three plus more and Pellegrini had his reasons for summoning the services of the Chile international sparingly. Almost a magician off the bench, Fernandez displayed glimpses of his worth when he was deployed as a substitute, running at exhausted defenders and creating match-winning chances to claim the entire points collection.
Strangely his statistics fell into decline and first-team outings turned into infrequent rarities, starting only five matches in 2008-2009 but credibly scoring thrice and claiming a sole assist to keep his name briefly in the spotlight. This is in stark contrast to the debut season of 2006-2007 where 14 starts generated seven assists and one league goal.
Tumbling down the pecking order at Villarreal has not hampered his quest for international recognition though, the same endowed genius who terrorized apprehensive rearguards for Colo Colo has unleashed devastation on Chile’s World Cup rivals in the qualifying phase of the elite competition. Four goals and an equal quantity of assists, all courtesy of Fernandez, have almost certainly guaranteed La Roja a ticket to South Africa, and importantly their first finals appearance since France 1998, as they currently sit self-assuredly in second behind Brazil.
So Sporting Lisbon and Champions League football awaits for the glimmering light of Chilean football, the Spanish crusade lacked a fundamental bite which was plagued with inconsistency but now, at the more cultured age of 23 and a subsequent move to Lisbon for €3.6m, the footballer described by Fifa.com as holding ‘exquisite technique, the ability to run at people at pace and a cool head in front of goal’ must strike his credence on an arduous platform.
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