Appointed to the position last summer after the departure of David Silva, the Brazilian midfielder has revelled in the role, bringing all his insight and experience to bear to help City in our quest for three trophies.
Pep Guardiola’s side are 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League with five games to go, through to a Champions League semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain and on Sunday bid to win a fourth successive Carabao Cup final when we face Spurs at Wembley.
From his own perspective, Fernandinho says being captain has offered him a key platform from which to help and mentor his colleagues.
And the 35-year-old revealed that in taking the role, he sought valuable advice and inspiration from City’s former skippers to prepare him for the crucial position.
“It’s a real honour to be captain of this club, from the moment I was asked it has been a pleasure,” Fernandinho declared.
“It was a special moment for me and it’s something I am really enjoying.
“I try to put myself in the best position possible to help everyone at the football club at any time, on and off the pitch.
“The responsibility is high, but that’s something I like so now I just say ‘let’s get ourselves ready for the final part of the season and let’s achieve our goals.’
“We want to achieve our goals this season and I hope that we get to celebrate that at the end of the season.
“I’ve been here for eight seasons now and I spent a lot of time with the club’s former captains, who I spoke to about the role within the squad.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY PODCAST
“So, the level of responsibility was not a surprise to me, but I am trying to do my best as always and it really is a pleasure to be in the position that I am in.
“It’s a role I am proud to have, I am involved in a lot off the pitch, I get to talk to a lot of people, it’s my job to help fix things if they’re not going right and that’s something I have enjoyed.
“The best way to enjoy something is to always do your best when you are doing it and to help others to also do their best.
“This isn’t a role that is just about the football, it’s as important a role off the pitch as it is on it.”
The skipper has enjoyed a wonderful eight years at City since making the move to the Etihad from Shakhtar Donestk.
The Brazilian has been a key part of City squads which have won three Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup while along the way he has cemented his status as one of the most effective defensive midfielders of his generation.
But he credits the arrival of Pep Guardiola as manager in the summer of 2016 with helping him to see the game with new eyes and become an even more accomplished player.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY APP
“When he came in as manager I was already 30 years old. I’d been a professional footballer for almost 15 years, but when Pep came to City he completely changed my understanding of football,” Fernandinho revealed.
“He’s had such a huge influence on the club since coming in.
“Now I understand the game in a different way, in a better way.
“He has helped me a lot, from the way I play my game to the way I behave on the pitch and I am really grateful for him and to the club as well, who have given me the opportunity to work so closely with him.
“I hope we can win as much as possible together.
“To win is good, that’s great but the most important thing for me and the manager is the way that we win.
“This is important because it allows us to show that when we play good football, we win.”
Even more silverware is within tantalising reach as a relentless, demanding season reaches the final decisive furlong.
And for his part Fernandinho says the hunger for success that accompanied when he moved to the Etihad remains as ravenous as ever.
“Since the first day that I came to Manchester City it’s been amazing,” Ferna reflected
“When I signed for the club I said ‘look, I’ve come here to win trophies.’ That was always my main target and now looking back it’s nice to realise that I’ve done that, but at the same time I’m still looking forward to what we can win and more trophies.
“My wish and desire is still the same as the first day I step foot in the club.
“I wanted to win trophies and I have done that here, it’s made me very happy playing for a club like Manchester City and now the aim is to keep going, keep working hard and to keep playing good football that hopefully allows us to win more trophies.”
