As an academy graduate ofRiver Plate, Fernández made his first-team debut for the club in 2019, before spending two seasons on loan withDefensa y Justicia. There, he won theCopa Sudamericana andRecopa Sudamericana, and returned to River Plate in 2021. He joinedBenfica in the summer of 2022. Having played only six months for them, he joined Chelsea in January 2023 for aBritish-record transfer fee worth €121 million (£106.8 million).
An Argentine international, Fernández previously represented his country atunder-18 level before making his senior international debut. He represented Argentina at the2022 FIFA World Cup, playing an important role in helping his country win their third title, while also winning the tournament'sYoung Player Award.[4] He also won the2024 Copa América.
Born inSan Martín, Buenos Aires, to Raúl and Marta; Fernández has four brothers, Seba, Rodri, Maxi and Gonza.[5] He was introduced to football at a young age, playing for a local side called Club La Recova, before joiningRiver Plate.[5][6] It is unclear exactly when Fernández joined River Plate; in November 2019, in an interview for the River Plate website, he claimed to have joined the academy in 2005,[5] in September 2020, Argentine newspaperClarín reported that he joined River in 2006,[6] while in February 2023, he claimed he was six when he joined in an interview for theChelsea website, which would have most likely been in 2007.[7]
Despite being sporadically used Fernández's manager advised him to leave the club on loan, in order to continue his development.[8] In August, Fernández was loaned to fellow top-flight clubDefensa y Justicia.[3][9] He made his debut for theHalcón on 18 September by managerHernán Crespo in a 3–0 win overDelfín in the Copa Libertadores.[3][10] Despite initially not being a starter, his performances impressed his manager and eventually he earned a place in the team, helping the club win the2020 Copa Sudamericana, starting in the 3–0 win over fellow Argentinian sideLanús in the final, winning his first career title.[8]
After impressing on loan, Fernández returned to River Plate, during the season at the request of manager Marcelo Gallardo, making his return on 15 July 2021, in thefirst leg of Copa Libertadores round-of-16, featuring in the 1–1 home draw to fellow Argentinian sideArgentinos Juniors.[8] He immediately became a starter and on 14 August, he scored his first goal for the club and provided an assist in a 2–0 win overVélez Sarsfield in the Primera División.[8] On 20 December, he agreed to a contract extension to 2025.[11] Following a promising start in the2022 season, which he scored eight goals and provided six assists in 19 games, Fernández was named the best active footballer inArgentina, being subsequently scouted by a number of established European teams.[8][12][13][14]
On 23 June 2022, River Plate reached an agreement withPrimeira Liga teamBenfica for the transfer of Fernández for a €10 million fee for 75% of his economic rights plus €8 million in add-ons, but with the player remaining at River Plate until the end of the club'sCopa Libertadores campaign.[15][16] Following River Plate's round of 16 exit from the Copa Libertadores, on 14 July, Benfica confirmed the deal,[17] giving Fernández the number 13 shirt, previously worn by club legendEusébio.[18]
He made his debut for the club on 2 August, scoring his first goal for the club, a half-volley from outside the penalty area, in a 4–1 home win overMidtjylland in the first leg of the2022–23 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. He then scored in Benfica's next matches: a 4–0 home win overArouca in thePrimeira Liga, and a 3–1 away win over Midtjylland in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.[19] His impressive performances continued throughout the month and following a run of five consecutive wins and three clean sheets, he was named the Primeira Liga's Midfielder of the Month,[20] a feat which was repeated for the months of October and November.[21]
Following Fernández's success internationally at the2022 FIFA World Cup, he was linked with a move toPremier League teamsChelsea andLiverpool[22] in the January 2023 transfer window, however, Benfica were adamant he wouldn't be sold for less than his €121m release clause.[23][24] Chelsea purchased Fernández for a package worth £106.8 million after a final agreement between the two clubs was reached on 31 January 2023. He signed an eight-and-a-half-year contract, valid until 2031.[25] Negotiations lasted for more than ten hours and were led by Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali. The fee paid by Chelsea was, at the time, aBritish-record transfer deal. Benfica received an initial £30 million installment which will be followed by five further payments.[26][24]
Fernández made his debut in thePremier League on 3 February in a 0–0home draw againstFulham, playing 90 minutes.[27] On 11 February, he registered an assist for the team's only goal in a 1–1 league draw atWest Ham United.[28] He scored his first goal for Chelsea in a 2–1 win overAFC Wimbledon in the second round of theEFL Cup on 30 August 2023.[29] He scored his first Premier League goals on 3 December, by netting abrace in a 3–2 home victory overBrighton & Hove Albion.[30][31]
On 31 January 2026, on his 150th appearance for Chelsea, Fernández scored in the second minute of the injury time to secure a 3–2 win over West Ham after the home team went 2–0 down at half-time.[34][35]
On 24 July 2019, Fernández was selected by theArgentina U18s managerEsteban Solari to represent his nation at the2019 COTIF Tournament in Spain.[5][36] On 3 November 2021, he was called up byArgentina national team managerLionel Scaloni for two2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers againstBrazil andUruguay.[8] He made his senior team debut on 24 September 2022, by coming on as a 64th-minute substitute forLeandro Paredes in a 3–0 win againstHonduras.[37] On 11 November, he was named in Argentina's 26-man squad for the2022 FIFA World Cup.[38] After coming on forGuido Rodríguez in the 57th minute, on 26 November, Fernández scored his first international goal, closing Argentina's 2–0 group stage win againstMexico.[39] In doing so, he became the second youngest player ever (only behindLionel Messi) to score a World Cup goal for Argentina at 21 years, ten months and thirteen days old.[40] On 3 December, he achieved a rather not so famous record, becoming the youngest own goal scorer in the history of Argentina in the FIFA World Cup, in the round of sixteen match againstAustralia, when his attempt to blockCraig Goodwin's shot deflected into his team's net as Argentina beat Australia 2–1.[41] After defeatingCroatia 3–0 in the semi-final, Fernández played in thefinal againstFrance, where Argentina won the World Cup by a score of 4–2 on penalties after a 3–3 draw.[42] He was named thebest young player of the tournament.[43]
In June 2024, Fernández was called up to represent Argentina at the2024 Copa América.[44][45] He played in all but one of their matches and recorded two assists as they went on to win the tournament, defeatingColombia 1–0 in thefinal and earning him his second senior international trophy.[46]
In July 2024, following Argentina's Copa América triumph, a video showing Fernández and other Argentinian players chanting alleged racist chants about the origin of France national team players on the team bus surfaced, which led to outrage and criticism from theFrench Football Federation (FFF) and French sports ministerAmélie Oudéa-Castéra.[47] Several of Fernández's French teammates at Chelsea proceeded to unfollow him onInstagram and made posts onTwitter showing their anger,[48] which led to Fernández apologising through Instagram. The FFF lodged a complaint toFIFA about the remarks,[49] while Chelsea announced that it had "instigated an internal disciplinary procedure".[50][51] After offering a private apology to his Chelsea teammates and a donation to an anti-discrimination charity, Chelsea announced that they would not be taking any disciplinary actions against Fernández.[52]
Fernández playing for Argentina at the2022 FIFA World Cup. Fernández has been noted for his ability to break up play and recycle possession.
A versatile midfielder, Fernández usually plays as adeep-lying playmaker, responsible for breaking up play, dictating the tempo, and recycling possession, but he is also a capableattacking-midfielder. Although he prefers operating centrally, he can be seen occupying the left half-space assisted by a defensive midfield partner, like his former Benfica team-mate,Florentino Luís.[53]
Fernández plays quick short passes, accurate long passes, and lobbed balls. He is combative in his midfield duels, protects spaces and his backline efficiently, and possesses good passing range and vision. He can dribble into dangerous territory or out of it. He thrives in receiving the ball in tight spaces and is press-resistant. He is adept at breaking defensive lines with his passes, playing through balls, as well as recycling possession in the midfield. Out of possession, Fernández looks to proactively disrupt opposition attack, anticipate and intercept passes.[54][55][56][57]
Fernández is named after three-timeCopa América winner and former River Plate playerEnzo Francescoli, due to his father Raúl's fascination with the Uruguayan. In an interview, he said that his favourite player is Lionel Messi.[6]
Fernández was married to fellow Argentine Valentina Cervantes, with whom he has a daughter, born on 4 March 2020. On 26 October 2023, their son was born.[58]
On 31 October 2024, Cervantes announced on her Instagram story that she and Fernández were separating, writing (translated from Spanish) "Enzo and I have decided to take some distance from each other today. But we will always be family, and we will support each other in everything, because there are two children involved who need a lot of love from us. I know the person Enzo is, what an excellent father he is, and what heart he has. And that is enough for me. Please don't try to create conflicts where there are none."[59]
Argentine journalist Julieta Argenta provided further details on the split claiming "He told her he wants to live a life on his own. They're still a family and he feels the need to experience the stage he skipped by choosing family early on."[60]
On 11 September 2024, Fernández was disqualified from driving for six months,[61] receiving a 12-point penalty and being fined £3,020 following two driving offences committed in Wales in November and December 2023 by the driver of aPorsche Cayenne which Fernández was registered as the owner of.[61]
A driver of the car was allegedly caught speeding on Carmarthen Road, Swansea on 20 December, by South Wales Police and running a red light on Church Street, Llanelli on 28 November by Dyfed-Powys Police. Both police forces sent court papers to Fernández’s home address in Kingston-Upon-Thames and Chelsea’s training ground in Stoke D'Abernon, Surrey to identify the driver of the Porsche but Fernández failed to appear for the hearings at Llanelli Magistrates' Court.
Fernández was charged £1,000 and £110 in police costs for the offence in Llanelli and a further £1,000 charge, £800 victim surcharge and £110 in police costs for the offence in Swansea.[62] Fernández received 12 penalty points (6 for each offence), which on top of 9 existing penalty points for speeding led to a six-month ban from driving.[62]
^"Enzo Fernández e o hygge à Benfica" [Enzo Fernández and the hygge at Benfica.].Tribuna Expresso (in Portuguese). 9 August 2022. Retrieved23 December 2022.
