Leonardo Fernández (Uruguayan footballer) explained

Leonardo Fernández
Fullname:Leonardo Cecilio Fernández López
Birth Date:8 November 1998
Birth Place:Montevideo, Uruguay
Height:1.67m
Position:Attacking midfielder
Currentclub:Peñarol
(on loan from Toluca)
Clubnumber:8
Youthclubs1:Amanecer
Youthyears2:2011–2015
Youthclubs2:Fénix
Years1:2015–2019
Clubs1:Fénix
Caps1:90
Goals1:25
Years2:2019–2021
Clubs2:Tigres UANL
Caps2:35
Goals2:1
Years3:2019
Clubs3:Universidad de Chile (loan)
Caps3:7
Goals3:1
Years4:2020
Clubs4:Toluca (loan)
Caps4:10
Goals4:8
Years5:2022–
Clubs5:Toluca
Caps5:54
Goals5:17
Years6:2023
Clubs6:Fluminense (loan)
Caps6:18
Goals6:1
Years7:2024–
Clubs7:Peñarol (loan)
Caps7:20
Goals7:8
Nationalyears1:2012–2013
Nationalteam1:Uruguay U15
Nationalcaps1:15
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2014–2015
Nationalteam2:Uruguay U17
Nationalcaps2:19
Nationalgoals2:5
Nationalyears3:2017
Nationalteam3:Uruguay U20
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2019
Nationalteam4:Uruguay U22
Nationalcaps4:5
Nationalgoals4:4
Club-Update:27 July 2024

Leonardo Cecilio (Leo) Fernández López (born 8 November 1998) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Uruguayan Primera División club Peñarol, on loan from Liga MX side Toluca.

He is, along with Argentine Neri Cardozo, the only players to win both the Concacaf Champions League and the Copa Libertadores, the two top American tournaments at the international level.

Club career

Fénix

Born in Montevideo, Fernández joined Fénix's youth setup in 2011, from lowly CSyD Amanecer.[1] On 31 May 2015, aged just 16, he made his first team – and Primera División – debut, coming on as a late substitute for Martín Ligüera in a 2–0 away loss against Peñarol.[2]

After spending his first two seasons as a backup, Fernández started to appear regularly from the 2017 campaign onwards. He scored his first professional goal on 25 March of that year, netting the winner in a 2–1 home defeat of El Tanque Sisley.[3]

On 4 March 2018, Fernández scored a brace in a 3–2 defeat to Defensor Sporting.[4] On 29 July, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 away routing of Cerro,[5] and finished the campaign with 11 goals, playing a key part as his side narrowly avoided relegation.

Tigres UANL

On 24 June 2019, Fernández joined Mexican club Tigres UANL on a free transfer. He was immediately loaned to Club Universidad de Chile.

Toluca

On 12 December 2019, Fernández joined Toluca on a season-long loan.[6] At the end of his loan, Fernández returned to UANL and was later deemed surplus. On 19 December 2021, Fernández sealed a permanent move to Toluca.[7]

Loan to Fluminense

On 4 July 2023, Fernández joined Fluminense on a one-year loan. [8]

Loan to Peñarol

In January 2024, Fernández joined Peñarol on a one-year loan.

International career

As a youth international, Fernández has represented Uruguay at the 2015 South American U-17 Championship and the 2019 Pan American Games.[9]

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fénix2014–15Uruguayan Primera División1010
2015–16120120
2016801[10] 090
2017202202
201834113411
201915121512
Total90250010009125
Tigres UANL2020–21Liga MX2213[11] 100252
2021–221301[12] 0140
Total251003110392
Universidad de Chile (loan)2019Chilean Primera División712091
Toluca (loan)2019–20Liga MX10840148
Toluca2021–22Liga MX157157
2022–2339103910
Total54170000005417
Fluminense (loan)2023Série A1710010181
Career total2035360511021463

Honours

Tigres UANL

2020

Fluminense

2023

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Entrevista a Leonardo Fernández. Interview to Leonardo Fernández. Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol. AUF.org.uy. es. 3 January 2019.
  2. Web site: Clausura: Peñarol 2 – Fénix 0. Fútbol.uy. es. 31 May 2015. 3 January 2019.
  3. Web site: Fénix volvió a ganar, 2:1 a El Tanque. Fénix win again, 2–1 at El Tanque. Tenfield. es. 25 March 2017. 3 January 2019.
  4. Web site: Defensor ganó sin sobrarle nada, 3:2. Defensor win without margin, 3–2. Tenfield. es. 4 March 2018. 3 January 2019.
  5. Web site: Fénix arrasó y goleó 5:0 a Cerro. Fénix delighted and thrashed Cerro by 5–0. Tenfield. es. 29 July 2018. 3 January 2019.
  6. Web site: Viene refuerzo uruguayo. Mediotiempo.com. 12 December 2019. 14 December 2019. Spanish.
  7. Web site: Leo se dijo ilusionado. . Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club. es. 19 December 2021.
  8. Web site: Fluminense acerta a contratação de Leo Fernández. Fluminense Football Club. PT. 4 July 2023.
  9. Web site: Datos del plantel panamericano de Uruguay. 6 August 2019. 27 May 2024.
  10. Appearance in Copa Sudamericana.
  11. Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League.
  12. Appearances in Leagues Cup.
  13. Web site: Leonardo Fernández, distinguido por EA Sports como Jugador del Mes de la Liga MX.