Matías Fernández (footballer, born 1986)
A magician with the ball at his feet, this Chilean playmaker dazzled fans with his dribbling and free-kicks, becoming a key figure for club and country.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Chilean footballer·Birthday: May 15·Millennials
Biography
Matías Fernández, often called 'Matigol,' was the creative heartbeat for every team he played for. Emerging from Colo-Colo's academy in Chile, his technical brilliance was immediately apparent—a left foot capable of bending free-kicks with wicked precision and a low center of gravity that made him elusive in tight spaces. His move to Villarreal in 2006 announced his arrival in Europe, where he won the Copa del Rey and showcased his talents in the Champions League. Fernández's career was a journey across continents, with successful spells in Portugal, Italy, and Mexico, but his legacy is firmly tied to the Chilean national team. He was an integral part of the golden generation that won back-to-back Copa América titles in 2015 and 2016, providing guile and experience in midfield. While injuries sometimes limited his club impact, on his day, Fernández possessed a rare, artistic quality that made him a joy to watch and a constant threat.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Matías was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matías Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Matías's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2006 South American Footballer of the Year award while playing for Colo-Colo.
- Was a key member of the Chilean national team that won the Copa América in 2015 and 2016.
- Lifted the Copa del Rey trophy with Villarreal CF in the 2007-08 season.
Did You Know?
He won the Chilean Primera División title with Colo-Colo in the 2006 Clausura tournament before moving to Europe.
Fernández is known by the nickname 'Matigol,' a play on his first name and the Spanish word for goal, 'gol.'
He played for Sporting CP in Portugal, helping them win the 2014-15 Taça de Portugal.
“The ball at my left foot is a chance to change everything.”
