Fernandinho insists he's "100 per cent" focused on winning silverware this season after announcing his plan to leave Manchester City at a press conference on Tuesday.
The City captain, who will turn 37 in May, has confirmed he will quit the club this summer after nine years of service. During that time, he's won four Premier League titles, six EFL Cups, the FA Cup and Community Shield - playing 373 games in all competitions.
The news has stunned manager Pep Guardiola, who claims he "didn't know" about Fernandinho's exit plan. The veteran midfielder's importance to the team has dwindled this season, making just six Premier League starts - with just one of those coming in 2022.
"I was 100 per cent honest and spontaneous in answering that question at today's press conference," tweeted the Brazilian after the news broke. "But anyone who knows me also knows that my greatest honesty is with Man City and my duties as team captain.
"My focus is 100% on winning all the titles we are playing for and I will only talk about my future at the end of the season. Let’s keep pushing!"
Guardiola was asked about Fernandinho's impending departure after the news broke... and it appears he wasn't briefed. "Sorry?" replied the Spaniard when asked about the Brazilian's decision. He then said: "Oh, I didn't know it... you've given me the news.
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"I didn't know it. We will see what happens at the end of the season. We don't know - we don't know what's going to happen. Fernandinho is - I've said many times - so important for me... we will see what happens, but we'll talk to him."
Fernandinho started his career at Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense, making 72 league appearances before joining Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005. During an eight-year spell in Ukraine, he won six league titles, four cups, four super cups and the UEFA Cup. He also won 53 senior caps for Brazil, helping his country lift the Copa America in 2019.
"I don't think so," said Fernandinho - who is out of contract in June - if he was going to sign a new deal at the Etihad this summer. "I want to play. I will go back to Brazil. I decided with my family, which is the most important thing for me."
On his lack of minutes this season, Fernandinho added: "After nine years and maybe after the 2018-19 season, when I changed my position, maybe that could be one of the reasons. It was hard for me to recover it [his position]. With age, it's hard for me but I put myself in a position to try to help the team as I have always done."
City face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday evening, holding a 1-0 lead from the first game in Manchester. "I think the main thing is just that we need to focus on ourselves and the way we have to play, our football, the tactics we will adopt in this game and how we can hurt them and try to create chances to score goals," added Fernandinho.
"Obviously it will be a hostile environment but we have to be ready for that. In these situations, anything is possible and it is going to be really important to concentrate for 90 minutes."
