Barcelona decided last month to dissolve the ongoing contract of Matheus Fernandes. The 23-year-old midfielder has since returned to Palmeiras, the Brazilian club that left seven million euros from his departure a year ago. Fernandes is talking to O Globo explain how he received his contract termination via e-mail from Barcelona.
“I didn’t know anything. When I received my contract cancellation, I couldn’t believe it. I was at home and about to leave with my wife. Then I got a message from someone from the club, who asked if I still had the same email address. I confirmed that and then I received it. I didn’t understand it and forwarded it to my agent and lawyer. They told me it was a contract termination,” said Fernandes, who ended up only playing one official game in the Barcelona shirt.
“I responded: oh, they lied about doing that. It took some time and at some point it got in the press. But we haven’t talked about it at all. Nothing. They didn’t even call me to say hello,” the midfielder continues. “I don’t know what the Barcelona board has done, but it’s a strange move. One boy (Luis Suárez, ed.) fired over the phone, the other boy fired via email. It costs nothing, just call to make a call. It’s just very unprofessional.”
Fernandes does not give up and takes steps against Barcelona. “That’s going to happen. They haven’t said anything to me. That was wrong, an ugly move by the club. I don’t know exactly what the status is now, I’ll leave that to my lawyers,” Fernandes said. “As a little boy it was always my dream to play for Barcelona. But they didn’t treat me like an athlete at all. I said that to the director, that I wanted to be treated like a Barcelona player.”
“It is up to the coach who will play, but I want everyone to be treated equally. For example, the boys had an introduction to each other and I wasn’t invited to that. I was disappointed about that,” the Brazilian continues. “I don’t know if it happens more often, but a lot of negative things happened. My head is empty now, I know my potential. Barcelona is not the club that is ruining my career. I’m going to work hard at Palmeiras and who knows, maybe I’ll play at another club soon.”