Roberto Júnior Fernández Torres (born 29 March 1988), better known as Gatito Fernández, is a Paraguayan footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Botafogo. He is known as Gatito for being the son of former Paraguayan 1986 World Cup goalkeeper Roberto Fernández, nicknamed Gato. Because of his father, who was a goalkeeper at Brazilian clubs, such as Internacional and Palmeiras, Gatito had lived in Brazil before his professional days.

Club career

Earlier career

Fernández started his professional career with Paraguayan Primera División club Cerro Porteño in 2007. He became Paraguayan champion with the club in the 2009 Apertura. Following the achievement, he joined Argentine Primera División side Estudiantes de La Plata. After a season in the club without any first team appearance, he joined Racing.

Utrecht (loan)

In August 2011, FC Utrecht announced to have signed Fernández on loan for one year to cover a possible departure of Michel Vorm.

Botafogo

On 26 November 2016 Fernandéz signed with Botafogo, on a free transfer, a two-year contract until December 2018. On 9 April 2018, after good performances in the 2017 Copa Libertadores and 2018 Campeonato Carioca, Botafogo extended contract with Fernandéz until December 2021. On 6 October 2022, he became the foreign player with the most appearances for Botafogo, surpassing his teammate Joel Carli with 188 games. On February 2, 2023, Gatito Fernández signed a contract renewal until the end of 2024 with Botafogo. On July 19, Gatito Fernández returned to play for Botafogo in a 1-1 draw against the Argentine team Patronato, a game valid for the Copa Sudamericana. The game marked Gatito's return after eight months without playing. Although the goalkeeper had been fully recovered for months from the injury suffered in a game against Atlético Minero at the end of the previous year, his return to the field took a while to happen due to the good performances of his teammate Lucas Perri, who ended up taking over as the starting goalkeeper for Botafogo.

International career

He debuted with the Paraguayan U20 national team in the 2007 South American Youth Championship replacing injured Blas Hermosilla. He was selected for Paraguay senior squad for the 2011 Copa América. He was an un-used substitute for the squad as they finished the tournament as the runner-up.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Club

Cerro Porteño Estudiantes de la Plata Botafogo

International

Paraguay

Individual