Gabriel Fernándes

Gabriel Matías Fernández Leites (born 13 May 1994), commonly known as "Toro Fernández", is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga MX club Cruz Azul.

Career Fernández had youth stints with Club Atlético Pablan, Bella Vista and Defensor Sporting, featuring for the latter at the 2012 U-20 Copa Libertadores in Peru; where they finished as runners-up to Argentina's River Plate. On 8 January 2013, Fernández completed a loan move to fellow Primera División team Cerro Largo. He made his bow on 23 February against Montevideo Wanderers, which preceded his first goals arriving in March versus Progreso and Racing Club. Braces followed in season one over Atenas and Sud América. He scored his first goal on 24 February during a win over Liverpool, a club he later notched his first career hat-trick against in the following August on the way to Peñarol's fiftieth league title. The deal was confirmed on 4 July by Celta. His debut arrived in a home defeat to Real Madrid on 17 August.

On 11 September 2020, Fernández was loaned to Segunda División side Real Zaragoza for the 2020–21 season.

On 3 July 2023, Fernández joined Pumas UNAM for the Apertura 2023 tournament. For a $2M USD transfer fee for Celta.

In December 2023, Pumas UNAM sold Fernández to Cruz Azul making them pay $11,400,000 USD (£9.1M) transfer fee.

Personal life On 29 December 2018, Fernández was involved in a traffic collision in Montevideo which left Romina Fernández, 18, in a vegetative state, he had allegedly been speeding at 60 km/h in a 45 speed limit zone. After testifying in court in May, the judge prohibited him from leaving the country without permission; with a work-dependent curfew also being set.

Career statistics

2019 Primera División

2019–20

2020–21

2021–22 Liga MX

2022–23 Liga MX

UNAM 2023–24

2023–24

2024–25

2025–26

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Honours Peñarol Primera División: 2018 Supercopa Uruguaya: 2018

Cruz Azul Liga MX: Clausura 2026 Campeón de Campeones: 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup: 2025