Enzo Fernández vows to return to River Plate

Enzo Fernández says he will return to River Plate at some point in his career. Now at City, the midfielder presents the move as a long-term ambition, not an announcement of an imminent departure. City have invested heavily in the Argentina international, while his contract gives the Premier League club control of his immediate future.

“I want to return to River at some point. I’ve said it several times. I’m going to return, I’m sure. It’s something I really want,” Fernández told Los Edul. He also stressed how strongly he feels about that goal: “If I say it, it’s because I feel it and know I need to return to win things and enjoy the River Plate world for many more years than I did.”

The midfielder also pointed to his long-term commitment to City. “Today, I’m here with a long contract at City. There’s still a long way to go, but it will happen.” His comments are therefore a statement of ambition for later in his career, rather than a sign that he is looking to cut short his first season at the Etihad.

River already occupies a significant place in Fernández’s career. River Plate developed him, and he registered 53 senior outings with 12 goals before his 2022 move to Benfica. His performances in Argentina led to a move to Portugal, where he continued to develop before joining Chelsea and establishing himself in the Premier League. During his return to River’s first team, he helped the club win domestic honours. That spell remains a defining part of his career.

His move from Chelsea, reported to be worth £125 million, was completed in September. He signed a five-year contract running until the summer of 2031. Those terms underline the distinction in Fernández’s comments: a return to River is a clear ambition for the future, while his present remains tied to his contract with City.