Roots have always been important to Fernandinho. It was this way at Athletico Paranaense where he started and for eight years at Shakhtar Donetsk before his move to Manchester City.
He became the Premier League’s most decorated Brazilian and an idol at City and is now back in Brazil to fulfil his desire to give something back to the club where it all began.
With Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm, it is going nicely. Athletico are into the Copa Libertadores final, where they will face Brazilian rivals Flamengo next month. But Manchester is never far from his mind, especially when the derby comes into view.