Nacho (footballer, born 1990)

José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse jɣˈnaθjo feɾˈnandeθ iˈɣlesjas]; born 18 January 1990), known as Nacho (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈnatʃo]), is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defender for La Liga club Real Madrid, which he captains, and the Spain national team.

"Nacho Fernández" redirects here. For other Spanish footballers with the same nickname, see Nacho (disambiguation).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Fernández and the second or maternal family name is Iglesias.

Nacho
Nacho with Spain in 2017
Personal information
Full name José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias[1]
Date of birth (1990-01-18) 18 January 1990[2]
Place of birth Madrid, Spain[3]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Real Madrid
Number 6
Youth career
1999–2001 AD Complutense
2001–2009 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Real Madrid B 105 (4)
2011– Real Madrid 219 (12)
International career‡
2005 Spain U16 1 (0)
2006–2007 Spain U17 11 (0)
2008–2009 Spain U19 9 (2)
2011–2013 Spain U21 6 (0)
2013– Spain 24 (1)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA Nations League
Winner2023 Netherlands
U-17 World Cup
Runner-up2007 Korea
European U-21 Championship
Winner2013 Israel
European U-17 Championship
Winner2007 Belgium
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:55, 30 September 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 June 2023

He has spent his entire career with Real Madrid after making his debut with the first team in 2011, making over 300 appearances and winning several trophies, including five Champions Leagues.

Nacho won his first senior cap for Spain in 2013, and was on the squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Born in Madrid, Nacho arrived in Real Madrid's youth system at the age of 11. He made his senior debut in 2008–09, playing two games with the reserves in Segunda División B and subsequently appearing in a further two full seasons in that level; it was during this time he formed a long-lasting friendship with future Russian national team player Denis Cheryshev.[4]

On 23 April 2011, Nacho made his first-team – and La Liga – debut, starting as a left back in a 6–3 away win against Valencia CF and playing in the entire match.[5] His second appearance came the following week, in a 2–3 home loss to Real Zaragoza.[6]

Nacho was one of the youth team players chosen to accompany the first team on their summer friendlies in North America, prior to the start of the 2011–12 campaign. He came on as a substitute in all three matches, against the LA Galaxy, C.D. Guadalajara and Philadelphia Union.

On 2 September 2012, main squad manager José Mourinho announced that Nacho, along with Álvaro Morata and Jesús, would be promoted to the first team but continue to play with Castilla.[7] He became an official full-time member at the start of 2013–14, receiving the number 18 shirt after the departure of Raúl Albiol.

On 3 July 2014, Nacho signed a new contract with Real Madrid until 2021.[8] He scored his first official goal for them on 10 January of the following year, closing the score in a 3–0 home victory against RCD Espanyol.[9]

Nacho hoisting the European Champion Clubs' Cup as Real Madrid celebrate winning the UEFA Champions League, in May 2018

Two minutes after replacing the injured Marcelo in a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Paris Saint-Germain F.C. on 3 November 2015, Nacho scored the only goal and sealed his team's advance to the last-16 with his first goal in a European competition.[10] He contributed with five appearances, as the tournament ended in conquest.[11]

On 11 February 2017, Nacho made his 100th appearance for Real Madrid in a 3–1 away win against CA Osasuna.[12] Benefitting from injuries and suspensions to teammates, he was the most utilized player in the centre-back position as the club won its first national championship in five years;[13][14][15][16] he added four matches in the Champions League, again conquered by his team.[17]

Nacho with Cristiano Ronaldo in a celebration after winning the 2018 UEFA Champions League

Nacho scored his first career brace on 21 January 2018, in a 7–1 win over Deportivo de La Coruña.[18] During that year's Champions League he made eight appearances while scoring one goal,[19] when Madrid won their third consecutive and 13th overall title in the tournament; in the decisive match against Liverpool, he featured at right-back after replacing the injured Dani Carvajal late into the first half of an eventual 3–1 win in Kyiv.[20]

The 2019–20 season for Nacho was dominated by injuries, and he only made six appearances during the league season as Real Madrid won the 2019–20 La Liga.[21]

On July 2021, he extended his contract for two more years, until 2023.[22]

On 22nd February 2023, Nacho's defensive performance in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg match against Liverpool was lauded by manager Jürgen Klopp.[23] The match concluded with Real Madrid securing a 5-2 victory at Anfield.[24]

On 22 June 2023, Nacho signed a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his spell until June 2024 and becoming captain following the departure of Karim Benzema.[25][26]

International career
Nacho during his debut with Spain in 2013

After playing for Spain at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, Nacho was first called by the full side on 2 September 2013 for a friendly with Switzerland to be held eight days later, in place of injured Iñigo Martínez.[27] He made his debut by replacing Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos early into the second half of the 2–2 draw against Chile in Geneva.[28]

Nacho was named in Spain's final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[29] He scored his first goal for his country on 15 June, starting as right-back in the group stage fixture against Portugal and netting with a curled shot from 30 meters in a 3–3 draw, after conceding a penalty in that same game.[30]

Style of play

A player known for his versatility in every defensive position on the pitch, both Julen Lopetegui and Zinedine Zidane used Nacho as a centre, right and left back. He is seen as a reliable full-back option due to his skills on the ball and penchant for making forward runs down his flank; a fast and agile defender who is known for his work rate, endurance and strength in the air despite not being particularly tall for his position.[31][32] Apart from his defensive skills, Nacho is also a precise and visionary passer of the ball in both short and long distances, with a 92.2% pass completion and accuracy in 2017–18. During the same season, he scored five goals from set pieces.[33]

Personal life

Nacho's younger brother, Álex, is also a footballer. A midfielder, he too graduated from Real Madrid's academy, and both made their first-team debut in the same game;[34] Álex moved on, settling at Cádiz CF, and they played against one another in 2020.[35] Their physical appearance is quite dissimilar, owing to Álex's red hair.[36]

In November 2016, Nacho revealed that he has lived with type 1 diabetes since he was 12 years old.[37][38] Throughout his first five years in the first team, Nacho managed to avoid major injuries, attributing his success to his eating habits and preparation.[39]

He has four children with his wife María Cortés, two daughters and two sons.[40]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 24 October 2023[41][42]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid Castilla 2008–09 Segunda División B 20———20
2009–10 211———211
2010–11 300——2[lower-alpha 1]0320
2011–12 333——4[lower-alpha 1]0373
2012–13 Segunda División 190———190
Total 1054——601114
Real Madrid 2010–11 La Liga 200000—20
2011–12 0010000010
2012–13 90301[lower-alpha 2]000130
2013–14 120403[lower-alpha 2]0—190
2014–15 141206[lower-alpha 2]000221
2015–16 160105[lower-alpha 2]1—221
2016–17 282514[lower-alpha 2]02[lower-alpha 3]0393
2017–18 273608[lower-alpha 2]11[lower-alpha 3]0424
2018–19 200505[lower-alpha 2]000300
2019–20 61311[lower-alpha 2]000102
2020–21 241008[lower-alpha 2]01[lower-alpha 4]0331
2021–22 283309[lower-alpha 2]02[lower-alpha 4]0423
2022–23 271508[lower-alpha 2]04[lower-alpha 5]0441
2023–24 60003[lower-alpha 2]00090
Total 2191238261210032816
Career total 3241638261216043920
  1. Appearance(s) in Segunda División B play-offs
  2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  3. Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup
  4. Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
  5. Two appearances in Supercopa de España, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
Nacho playing for Spain in 2015

International
As of match played 18 June 2023[43]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain 201310
201510
201650
201770
201881
202320
Total241
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nacho goal.
List of international goals scored by Nacho[43]
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 15 June 2018Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia18 Portugal3–23–32018 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Real Madrid Castilla

Real Madrid

Spain U17

Spain U21

Spain

References
  1. "Acta del Partido celebrado el 24 de octubre de 2010, en Majadahonda" [Minutes of the Match held on 24 October 2010, in Majadahonda] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  2. "FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017: List of players: Real Madrid CF" (PDF). FIFA. 30 November 2017. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  3. "Nacho". Real Madrid CF. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  4. "Cheryshev: "I texted Nacho to congratulate him for his goal"". Diario AS. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  5. Madrid continue impressive form; ESPN Soccernet, 23 April 2011
  6. Zaragoza dent Real title dream; ESPN Soccernet, 30 April 2011
  7. "Mourinho promotes Nacho Fernandez to senior Real Madrid squad". Tribal Football. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  8. Nacho, six more years at Real Madrid; Real Madrid CF, 3 July 2014
  9. "El Real Madrid se reencuentra con la Victoria" [Real Madrid return to winning ways] (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  10. Malyon, Ed (3 November 2015). "Real Madrid 1–0 PSG: 5 things we learned as Nacho's goal seals qualification". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  11. "Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again". UEFA. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  12. "Nacho, 100 games for Real Madrid". Real Madrid CF. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  13. "Los 1.500 de Nacho" [Nacho's 1.500]. Marca (in Spanish). 11 March 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  14. "Nacho disputó los nueve partidos jugados en abril" [Nacho took part in the nine matches played in April]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 1 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  15. "El Real Madrid, campeón de LaLiga Santander 2016/17" [Real Madrid, LaLiga Santander champions 2016/17] (in Spanish). La Liga. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
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  18. Kieran Canning (21 January 2018). "Real Madrid 7–1 Deportivo: Bale and Ronaldo at the double as Zidane's men get back on track – 5 talking points". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  19. "Así llegan Real Madrid y Liverpool a la final de la Champions" [That is how Real Madrid and Liverpool arrive to the Champions final] (in Spanish). RCN Radio. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
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  27. Nacho, convocado por la selección española absoluta (Nacho, called up by Spain's full team) Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine; Real Madrid CF, 2 September 2013 (in Spanish)
  28. Spain 2–2 Chile: Last gasp Navas saves the day Archived 5 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine; Inside Spanish Football, 10 September 2013
  29. "Morata misses out on Spain's 23-man World Cup squad". Goal. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  30. "Cristiano Ronaldo scores sensational hat-trick as Portugal hold Spain in instant World Cup classic". The Daily Telegraph. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  31. "Nacho's sheer versatility". Real Madrid CF. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  32. "Mbappe tops 10 fastest footballers in the world, Auba ranked 3rd, Salah No.7". OneFootbal. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  33. "Nacho". Who Scored. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  34. Nacho y Álex, sangre blanca en la familia Fernández (Nacho and Álex, white blood in the Fernández family) Archived 21 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine; Real Madrid CF, 3 May 2010 (in Spanish)
  35. Alex Fernandez wins sibling rivalry in Cadiz victory over Real Madrid, The Times of India, 18 October 2020
  36. 'I have told him many times, to come and join me at Cadiz': Alex Fernandez offers Nacho chance for Madrid exit, Tribuna.com, 30 March 2020
  37. Lara, Miguel Ángel (10 November 2016). "Nacho opens up on struggles with diabetes". Marca. Spain. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  38. Jack, Woodfield (7 March 2017). "Real Madrid footballer Nacho Fernandez was told type 1 diabetes would end his career". Diabetes.co.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  39. "Nacho, sin lesiones ¡desde infantiles!" [Nacho, injury-free since the youth team!]. Marca (in Spanish). Spain. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  40. "Nacho Fernández es padre unas horas antes de la final" [Nacho Fernández is a father a couple of hours before the final]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 28 May 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
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  42. Nacho at ESPN FC
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