Real Madrid and Spain defender Nacho Fernandez has extended his contract with the Los Blancos for two years until 2023. This is a one-year extension as the player’s initial contract was going to end next summer in 2022 but the club wanted to ensure his future.
Nacho has played a huge role in carrying the team’s defence throughout this season as the club’s previous captain Sergio Ramos had a season riddled with injury concerns. Nacho made 33 appearances for the club under former coach Zinedine Zidane this season and had a great pairing with Raphael Varane or Eder Militao at the centre-back position.
The 31-year-old has played 233 times for Real Madrid and has won the La Liga twice and is also a four-time Champions League winner with the club between 2014 and 2018. Hailing from Real Madrid academy, the player made his professional debut for the club in 2011. Nacho is a versatile defender who can play as a centre back and can also play on both the flanks as a full back.
The player has also made 22 appearances for Spain but he failed to secure his name in manager Luis Enrique’s squad list for the Euro 2020 squad list despite having a good season. This was the first time that not a single Real Madrid player was selected in the Spanish squad for a major national tournament. However, Spain made it to the semi-finals of the competition but they fell short as they lost to Italy on penalties (4-2).
Real Madrid also had a tough season as they went trophyless and many players from their roster suffered from back-to-back injuries. They were dethroned by their city rivals Atletico Madrid who became the La Liga champions this year. Their former coach Zinedine Zidane also decided to leave the club after the end of the season and their captain Sergio Ramos also bid adieu after 16 years at the club as his contract expired this summer. Ramos completed his move to French giants PSG yesterday on a two-year deal.
Nacho would be hoping to continue his form under new coach Carlo Ancelotti and has previously worked with him between 2013 and 2015. Real Madrid has also roped in Bayern Munich defender David Alaba on a free transfer this summer. Raphael Varane may also leave the club this summer and is heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.