Nacho_(footballer,_born_1990)

Nacho (footballer, born 1990)

Nacho (footballer, born 1990)

Spanish footballer

"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.

José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse jɣˈnaθjo feɾˈnandeθ iˈɣlesjas]; born 19 January 1990), known as Nacho (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈnatʃo]), is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or full-back for La Liga club Real Madrid, which he captains, and the Spain national team. A very strong and reliable player who's very versatile. Known for his strength, situational awareness and leadership.

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...

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.[citation needed]

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]

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

With departure of Marcelo, Nacho was promoted as Real Madrid's vice-captain for the 2022–23 season. 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.[23][24]

On 30 September 2023, Nacho was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for a tackle on Girona player Portu.[25] Nacho apologized for his actions after the match.[26] On 21 December 2023, he saw another straight red card for a tackle, this time against Alaves player Samu.[27] With these dismissals, Nacho became the first player to be sent off twice in one season for Real Madrid since Sergio Ramos in 2017–18.[28]

International career

Nacho during his debut with Spain in 2013

Nacho represented at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels. He was a member of the Spanish squad that won the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, playing once in a 3–0 win over the Netherlands in Group B.[29]

On 2 September 2013, he was called up to the Spain senior team for the first time, replacing the injured Iñigo Martínez in the squad for a friendly match against Switzerland.[30] 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.[31]

Nacho was named in Spain's final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[32] He started the team's opening Group B game against Portugal at right-back on 15 June, scoring his first international goal with a curled shot from 30 meters in a 3–3 draw.[33] After being an unused substitute in the team's second and third group fixtures, he started Spain's round of 16 match against hosts Russia on 1 July. [34] He played 70 minutes before being substituted for club teammate Dani Carvajal in Spain's eventual 4–3 penalty shootout loss.[35]

In March 2023, Nacho was recalled to the Spain squad for the first time since 2018 for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Scotland.[36] He was named in the starting line-up for the match against Norway, playing the full 90 minutes as Spain won 3–0 in Malaga.[37]

He was named in Spain's squad for the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals and appeared as a 78th minute substitute as the team beat Croatia via a penalty shootout in the final as Spain won their first major title in 11 years.[38]

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.[39][40] 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.[41]

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;[42] Álex moved on, settling at Cádiz CF, and they played against one another in 2020 and 2023.[43] Their physical appearance is quite dissimilar, owing to Álex's red hair.[44]

In November 2016, Nacho revealed that he has lived with type 1 diabetes since he was 12 years old.[45][46] Throughout his first five years in the first team, Nacho managed to avoid major injuries, attributing his success to his eating habits and preparation.[47]

He has four children with his wife María Cortés, two daughters and two sons.[48]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 April 2024[49][50]
More information Club, Season ...
  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[51]
More information National team, Year ...
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nacho goal.
More information No., Date ...

Honours

Real Madrid Castilla

Real Madrid

Spain U17

Spain U21

Spain

References

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