Nacho (footballer, born 1990)

Nacho
Nacho in 2017
Personal information
Full name José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias[1]
Date of birth (1990-01-18) 18 January 1990[1]
Place of birth Madrid, Spain
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Playing position Defender
Club 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 111 (4)
2011– Real Madrid 114 (6)
National team‡
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 21 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:27, 6 October 2018 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 September 2018

José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse iɣˈnaθjo feɾˈnandeθ iɣˈlesjas]; born 18 January 1990), commonly known as Nacho [ˈnatʃo], is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Madrid mainly as a central defender but also as a right or left back.

He spent his entire career with Real Madrid after making his debut with the first team in 2011, going on to win several trophies including four Champions Leagues.

Nacho won his first senior cap for Spain in 2013, and was part of 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.[3]

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.[4] His second appearance came the following week, in a 2–3 home loss to Real Zaragoza.[5]

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.[6] He became an official full-time member at the start of 2013–14, receiving the number 18 shirt after the departure of Raúl Albiol.

Nacho hoisting the European Champion Clubs' Cup as Real Madrid celebrate winning the UEFA Champions League, on 26 May 2018

On 3 July 2014, Nacho signed a new contract with Real Madrid until 2021.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] He contributed with five appearances, as the tournament ended in conquest.[10]

On 11 February 2017, Nacho made his 100th appearance for Real Madrid in a 3–1 away win against CA Osasuna.[11] 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;[12][13][14][15] he added four matches in the Champions League, again conquered by his team.[16]

Nacho scored his first career brace on 21 January 2018, in a 7–1 defeat of Deportivo de La Coruña.[17] During that year's Champions League he made eight appearances while scoring one goal,[18] 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 Kiev.[19]

International career

Nacho during his debut with Spain in 2013
Nacho playing for Spain in 2015

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.[20] 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.[21]

Nacho was named in Spain's final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[22] 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.[23]

Style of play

A player known for his versatility in every defensive position on the pitch, Lopetegui and Zidane have used him as a centre back, right back and left back. He has also been a reliable option as a full-back due to his reliable skills on the ball to move forward. He's a fast, agile and injury free defender who is known for his work rate, endurance, strength in the air despite not being particularly tall for a defender. He has been known for his consistency and can link up really well with Real Madrid and National teammate Sergio Ramos.[24] Apart from his defensive skills Nacho has also being a great passer of the ball in both short and long distances with a 92.2% pass completion and accuracy in the season 2017-18 . He has also being a good goalscorer from corner kicks and set pieces and scored 5 goals from set pieces for Real Madrid.[25][26]

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.[27]

Ever since joining Real's academy, Nacho managed to avoid major injuries, attributing his success to his eating habits and preparation.[28] He has two children with his wife María Cortés, daughter Alejandra and son José Ignacio, with the latter being born the morning of the team's 2016 Champions League win.[29]

In November 2016, Nacho revealed that he has lived with type 1 diabetes since he was 12 years old.[30][31]

Career statistics

Club

As of 6 October 2018[32][33]
Club Season League Cup Europe Other1 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Real Madrid 2010–11 2000000020
2011–12 0010000010
2012–13 90301000130
2013–14 120403000190
2014–15 141206000221
2015–16 1601051—221
2016–17 282514020393
2017–18 273608110424
2018–19 6000100070
Career total 1146221282301679

1 Includes Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

International

As of 11 September 2018[34]
Spain
YearAppsGoals
201310
201510
201650
201770
201871
Total211

International goals

As of 15 June 2018 (Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Nacho goal)[34]
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.15 June 2018Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia Portugal3–23–32018 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Club

Real Madrid[35]

Real Madrid Castilla[35]

International

Spain U21[35]

Spain U17[35]

References

  1. 1 2 "FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017: List of players: Real Madrid CF" (PDF). FIFA. 16 December 2017. p. 5. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "Nacho". Real Madrid CF. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Cheryshev: "I texted Nacho to congratulate him for his goal"". Diario AS. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  4. ↑ Madrid continue impressive form; ESPN Soccernet, 23 April 2011
  5. ↑ Zaragoza dent Real title dream; ESPN Soccernet, 30 April 2011
  6. ↑ "Mourinho promotes Nacho Fernandez to senior Real Madrid squad". Tribal Football. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  7. ↑ Nacho, six more years at Real Madrid; Real Madrid CF, 3 July 2014
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ "Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again". UEFA. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Nacho, 100 games for Real Madrid". Real Madrid CF. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  12. ↑ "Los 1.500 de Nacho" [Nacho's 1.500]. Marca (in Spanish). 11 March 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "Malaga 0–2 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  16. ↑ "Majestic Real Madrid win Champions League in Cardiff". UEFA. 3 June 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "Madrid beat Liverpool to complete hat-trick". UEFA. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  20. ↑ Nacho, convocado por la selección española absoluta (Nacho, called up by Spain's full team); Real Madrid CF, 2 September 2013 (in Spanish)
  21. ↑ Spain 2–2 Chile: Last gasp Navas saves the day; Inside Spanish Football, 10 September 2013
  22. ↑ "Morata misses out on Spain's 23-man World Cup squad". Goal. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ . 9 October 2018 https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2018/10/nachos-sheer-versatility. Retrieved 2 May 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ↑
  26. ↑ https://www.whoscored.com/Players/106875/Show/Nacho. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ↑ Nacho y Álex, sangre blanca en la familia Fernández (Nacho and Álex, white blood in the Fernández family); Real Madrid CF, 3 May 2010 (in Spanish)
  28. ↑ "Nacho, sin lesiones ¡desde infantiles!" [Nacho, injury-free since the youth team!]. Marca (in Spanish). 27 October 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  29. ↑ "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.
  30. ↑ Lara, Miguel Ángel (10 November 2016). "Nacho opens up on struggles with diabetes". Marca. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  31. ↑ 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.
  32. ↑ "Nacho". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  33. ↑ Nacho at ESPN FC
  34. 1 2 "Nacho". European Football. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  35. 1 2 3 4 "Nacho – Trophies". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  36. ↑ "Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 0 (5–1 on aggregate): Woeful Barca dismissed as Zinedine Zidane's unstoppable side win Super Cup". The Daily Telegraph. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  37. ↑ "Isco goal gives Real Madrid victory over Manchester United in Super Cup". The Guardian. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  38. ↑ "Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick fires Real Madrid to Club World Cup glory". The Guardian. 16 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
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