Santiago Fernández (footballer, born 1988)

Santiago Nicolás Fernández (born 3 March 1988) is an Argentine former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Early career
Born in Olivos, in the Buenos Aires Province, Fernández began his career with local sides 12 de Octubre and Novena de Excursio.

Camino a la Gloria
Fernández decided to try out for Camino a la Gloria (Road to Glory), a show broadcast in 2002 on Canal 13 looking for the next young Argentine footballing star, with the prize being a trial with Spanish side Real Madrid. He was one of over 12,000 young footballers between the ages of fourteen and seventeen to try out, and was notably almost removed from the competition by his mother, as she was upset that, if he won, he would move away from home. After player advisor, and former Brazilian international footballer, Delém was able to convince her to let him compete, he eventually finished second to Aimar Centeno.

Professional career
Fernández states that he was told trials with Boca Juniors and River Plate would follow the show, but these did not materialise, and he instead went on to join Excursionistas. He later received a call from agent, and then-manager of Ferro Carril Oeste, Gustavo Mascardi, who invited him to trial with the Caballito-based club. He joined the club and progressed through the academy, going on to make his debut in March 2008 and spending three-and-a-half years, accumulating sixty-six appearances and scoring five goals.

After spending a half a year in Brazil with Olaria, he moved back to Argentina, joining Torneo Argentino B side Tiro Federal. He returned to professional football in 2013, joining Chacarita Juniors on a season-long loan deal from Agropecuario, but would have to undergo surgery for a hernia in September of the same year. Ahead of the 2015 season, Fernández signed with Juventud Unida, and this would prove to be his last professional club; spells with Unión Aconquija and Racing de Colon followed before he retired in 2018 following an injury.