Raúl Fernández (footballer, born 1985)

2.1. Universitario (First Stint)

Fernández made his professional debut with Universitario de Deportes in a 1-1 draw against Unión Huaral on July 31, 2005. After a brief loan spell, he returned to Universitario for the 2007 season. Initially, José Carvallo was the team's starting goalkeeper. However, on September 22, 2007, then-coach Julio Gómez decided to give Fernández his first start of the season against Total Clean. Universitario secured a 1-0 victory in that match, and Fernández subsequently became the team's primary starting goalkeeper.

In 2008, under the guidance of coach Ricardo Gareca, Fernández played a crucial role in helping Universitario win the Torneo Apertura 2008. His consistently strong performances throughout the season earned him the popular nickname 'Superman' and led to his selection as the Goalkeeper of the Year for 2008.

The following year, in 2009, Universitario won the 2009 Torneo Descentralizado by defeating their historic rival, Alianza Lima, in a decisive playoff series. Fernández was widely regarded as a key factor in the team's success, particularly for his performances in the playoffs. His excellent displays throughout the year, especially in the first playoff game against Alianza Lima, attracted significant attention from international scouts, leading to contacts from several European clubs. For his contributions, he was named both the Goalkeeper of the Year and the Player of the Year for the 2009 Peruvian domestic league season.

2.2. Sport Áncash (Loan)

During the 2006 season, Fernández spent half of the year on a loan spell with Sport Áncash. After this brief period, he returned to his parent club, Universitario.

2.3. OGC Nice

In December 2010, Raúl Fernández signed with the French club OGC Nice. However, as part of the agreement, Universitario de Deportes opted to take him on loan for the first six months of his contract with Nice. He made his debut for Nice in the third round of the 2011-12 Coupe de la Ligue, contributing to a 2-1 victory against Toulouse. He became a match hero for Nice against Dijon in the same tournament, where he successfully stopped a penalty during a penalty shoot-out, allowing his team to advance to the semifinals. Despite this notable performance, his appearances were limited during his time with the club, as David Ospina served as Nice's primary starting goalkeeper.

2.4. FC Dallas

Fernández transferred to MLS club FC Dallas on January 10, 2013. He made his regular-season debut for the team in their opening match of the 2013 season, securing a 1-0 victory against the Colorado Rapids. His strong performances quickly garnered recognition, and he was voted by fans to be the starting goalkeeper for the 2013 MLS All-Star Game roster. After spending two seasons with FC Dallas, Fernández was released at the end of the 2014 season, following the club's acquisition of goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. During his time with FC Dallas, he also made three appearances for the FC Dallas Reserves in 2014.

2.5. Universitario (Second Stint)

In January 2015, Fernández made a significant return to Universitario de Deportes, signing a four-year contract with the club. In 2016, during a match against Juan Aurich, he sustained a knee injury after colliding with a teammate, which kept him sidelined for several months. Despite his absence, Universitario went on to win the 2016 Torneo Apertura with Carlos Cáceda stepping in as the new starting goalkeeper. In 2018, Fernández faced significant criticism for Universitario's exit from the 2018 Copa Libertadores. A costly error he made in the final minutes of the second leg of the first stage allowed Oriente Petrolero to score an away goal, which ultimately led to the team's elimination from the tournament.

2.6. Universidad César Vallejo

In January 2019, Fernández signed with Universidad César Vallejo, a newly promoted club in the Peruvian Liga 1. His move to the club also marked a reunion with his former head coach, José del Solar.

2.7. Deportivo Binacional

On January 11, 2020, Raúl Fernández joined Deportivo Binacional, who were the reigning champions of the Peruvian Liga 1. He played for Binacional until 2021.

2.8. Atlético Grau

Fernández continued his professional playing career with Atlético Grau, where he played for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He contributed to the team's performance in the Liga 1 during this period.

6.1. Positive Reception

Early in his career, especially during his time at Universitario de Deportes, Fernández earned significant positive reception. His strong performances and acrobatic saves led to him being affectionately nicknamed 'Superman' by fans and media. He was recognized as the Goalkeeper of the Year in both 2008 and 2009, a testament to his consistent excellence in the Peruvian league. His exceptional form in 2009, which saw Universitario win the league title, further cemented his reputation, leading to him being named the Player of the Year for the domestic league. These standout displays also garnered the attention of international scouts, opening doors to opportunities in European football. His selection as the starting goalkeeper for the 2013 MLS All-Star Game further highlighted his high standing and positive perception among fans and within the league during his tenure in the United States.

6.2. Criticism and Controversies

Despite his earlier successes, Fernández also faced periods of criticism. A significant incident occurred during the 2018 Copa Libertadores, where he was heavily blamed for Universitario de Deportes' elimination from the tournament. A costly error in the final minutes of the second leg against Oriente Petrolero allowed the opposing team to score a crucial away goal, which ultimately led to Universitario's exit. This particular mistake drew considerable negative attention and debate regarding his performance. Additionally, a knee injury sustained in 2016 during a match against Juan Aurich sidelined him for several months, impacting his playing time and consistency during that period.

7.1. Club Statistics

7.2. International Statistics