Facing the three fundamental questions of life, the clarity and confusion of Fernando, the top scorer in China League Two

Written by/Zuo Rui Fernando, a native Chinese, carries an uncommon name. This feature interview seeks to explore the intriguing aspects of his name, way of living, and future direction by tackling the “three ultimate questions”: who he is, where he came from, and where he is going. These questions, first raised by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, deserve reflection from everyone, including Football Newspaper.

This 24-year-old forward recently set a new China League Two single-season scoring record with 24 goals. After winning the golden boot, his name was etched into the history of China’s third-tier league. His club, Guangxi Hengchen, also made history for Guangxi football by earning promotion to the 2026 China League One as the League Two champions.

Fernando, a name common in international football but quite unusual in China, is highly recognizable yet often misunderstood. It raises questions like “Are there foreign players in China League Two?” or “Are non-bloodline naturalized players allowed in League Two now?” In fact, he is a genuine Chinese citizen, with the surname ‘Fei’ and given name ‘Ernando.’ The name printed on his jersey is “FEI E.N.D,” not the typical “Fernando” seen in Spain, Portugal, or South America.

The Brazilian-born player Fernando Henrique da Conceição, known for his speed during his time at Chongqing and nicknamed “Little Motorcycle,” later adopted the Chinese name “Feinando.” In the latter half of the 2024 Chinese Super League season, two players named Fernando with different origins met on the same team. Teammates joked that the naturalized one was the “older brother,” while the homegrown player was the “younger brother.” When they met, they jokingly called each other brothers, but the nickname “Fei” remained unchanged.

The new top scorer in League Two admits his name sounds somewhat “foreign.” His grandfather probably had “a more unique idea” when naming him. They shared many memories together, both on and off the pitch. Interestingly, his grandfather never explained the inspiration behind the name, and Fernando never asked. “I think it’s fine; the name doesn’t carry any deep meaning worth analyzing further,” Fernando said. “Actually, many Chinese have four-character names; it’s just that those might sound more ‘normal.’”

This forward, skilled in positioning and technically versatile, shows no interest in namesake stars like Fernando Torres or Fernando Redondo. Instead, his favorite player is Bayern’s current striker and England captain Harry Kane. “Whether it’s teamwork, shooting technique, or judging ball placement… there’s so much I want to learn from him.” He is well aware that dribbling and speed are not his strengths.

Reflecting on his 24 league goals, Fernando remembers the first and last ones most vividly. In the third round against Quanzhou Yasin, after two winless matches, he was anxious and scored his first professional league goal with a shot using his weaker foot. In the 29th round versus Changchun Xidu, he scored a difficult direct free kick with his left foot. “Although I scored some direct free kicks as a kid, this was my first in a professional league,” he said.

While showcasing his skills with both feet and headers, he also scored six penalties, breaking the previous single-season League Two record of 23 goals held by Ma Xiaolei from Chengdu Xingcheng in 2019. In the 11th round home match where they crushed Kunming Chengxing 7-0, Fernando scored five goals alone. The match ball, signed by the whole team, became his personal keepsake. “This means a lot to me because it was my first career hat-trick and I scored five goals in one game.”

Born in Nanjing in 2001, Fernando began his passion for football and training while attending Nanjing Gulou District No.1 Central Primary School. By third grade, he had decided to focus on football and moved to Shanghai to join youth training. In 2016, he joined the Kangqiao base and officially became part of the Shanghai Shenhua youth team. “I came to Shanghai when I was very young; I’ve spent more time there than at home. Shanghai has become the place I know best.”

Starting from 2022, after debuting for Shenhua’s first team, all of Fernando’s four goals and one assist came in the FA Cup, with very limited playtime in the Chinese Super League. In the 2024 season, coach Slutsky once tried converting him into a left-back, but this experiment failed. “At first, it was hard to adapt because I had never played left-back before,” he said. “The demands of a left-back are totally different from those of a forward, whether it’s running or controlling crosses.”

Under Slutsky, the forward line featured foreign stars and domestic players like Lao Han Chao and Liu Chengyu, leaving limited room for the prime-age Fernando to develop. Therefore, both the club and player agreed that a loan to another team would be mutually beneficial. Eventually, the 1.86-meter Shenhua forward was loaned to Guangxi Hengchen.

At the end of last season, Fernando suffered a medial collateral ligament tear and returned home to Nanjing for a month of recovery. When he left for Nanning, he was at his physical lowest point. Fortunately, Hengchen’s coaching staff showed great patience and support. “They told me not to rush, to run gradually, and slowly regain my form. They also gave me chances to play. I’m very grateful to the coaches and the club.”

Upon arriving in Guangxi, everything ahead seemed unknown, and he had to explore and adapt step by step. “It was my first time traveling far away; sometimes I felt lost.” Although League Two clubs don’t have the same conditions as the Super League, Hengchen is small but complete, “everything needed is there.” Soon, Fernando settled his mind, regained form, and goals came as expected… everything fell into place.

While traveling with Hengchen, he never missed a Shenhua match as long as it didn’t conflict with his own games or training. Apart from watching a derby in Shanghai during a break, he mostly followed his parent club through video streams. Compared to last season’s excitement sitting on the bench or stands, watching alone on his phone in the dorm made him feel “less excited, more calm.”

Seeing his teammates fight fiercely in the Super League, his calmness sometimes turns to reflection on how to face Shenhua’s intense internal competition. “I tell myself to do everything I should to prepare for matches,” he said. “Whether I play or not, whether I’m at Hengchen or Shenhua, I must always be ready.”

When neither Hengchen nor Shenhua have matches, he spends time watching dramas or playing games with friends, but not for long, as he needs enough rest. Alone, he prefers staying indoors rather than going out. If dining with teammates, he finds it “more fun.”

Because of his poor condition when arriving in Nanning, Fernando never expected to score so many goals. During his 24-goal run, he felt no extreme emotional fluctuations. When the tally approached 20, he did think about winning the golden boot and breaking records, but overall maintained a calm attitude. “As long as the team wins, it doesn’t matter if I score or not. Being able to play and contribute is enough.”

A positive mindset and form, along with the team’s support and trust, helped him break the single-season League Two scoring record. He candidly says this is all “normal,” but admits that setting records will make future career moves easier. “If a team looks at these stats, it adds credibility. They might think this player’s level isn’t bad. It proves I still have a place in China’s professional leagues.”

According to his contract, Fernando’s cooperation with Guangxi Hengchen will expire on December 31 this year, while his deal with Shanghai Shenhua ends next year. What’s next? “I can’t decide alone; I’ll go back to Shanghai first and mainly wait for the club’s decision,” he said. During away matches against Nantong Haimen Kediyuan and Wuxi Wugou, he had no time to return home. Because the championship group matches are scheduled closely, his family came to see him briefly, but he had to “keep training and keep moving.”

After finishing the League Two journey, Fernando faces a crossroads: stay with Hengchen, possibly switching from loan to transfer; return to Shenhua and compete for space among many forwards; or look to a bigger world, settling in a new city and team… If he continues on loan, he will become a free agent by the end of next year. These unresolved questions require him to “explore little by little.”

Liu Junwei, Hengchen’s newly renewed head coach, said: “Fei has outstanding individual ability, distinct characteristics, and fits the tactical style we’ve developed. He is professional both on and off the pitch, and his overall performance this year has been excellent.” Staying at Hengchen seems natural, but the coaching staff at the promoted League One club may not continue the League Two 4-2-3-1 system. Within the existing tactics, Fernando, as an indispensable striker, receives many scoring chances.

For Fernando, staying with familiar Shenhua or playing in the Super League, or competing in League One for Hengchen or other clubs, are all acceptable. But to challenge himself and keep improving, he naturally yearns for a better growth environment and a higher competitive platform. “The platform is very important; if you can go higher, you should go higher,” he said. “Also, getting more playing time is the most meaningful thing.”