José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse jɣˈnaθjo feɾˈnandeθ iˈɣlesjas]; born 18 January 1990), known as Nacho Fernández or simply Nacho (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈnatʃo]), is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah. Mainly a centre-back, he has also played at right-back and left-back on occasion.
He spent most of his career with Real Madrid after making his debut with the first team in 2011, making 364 appearances and winning several trophies, including a joint record six Champions Leagues, a record shared with Paco Gento, Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal. Nacho won 26 trophies at Real Madrid, making him the second-most decorated player in the club's history. After over a decade at the club, he moved to Saudi Arabia and signed for Al-Qadsiah in 2024.
Nacho won his first senior cap for Spain in 2013, and was part of the squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024, winning the latter tournament.
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Club career
Real Madrid
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.
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 and playing in the entire match. His second appearance came the following week, in a 2–3 home loss to Real Zaragoza.
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. 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. 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 Espanyol.
Two minutes after replacing the injured Marcelo in a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Paris Saint-Germain on 3 November 2015, Nacho scored the only goal and sealed his team's advance to the knockout stage with his first goal in a European competition. He contributed with five appearances, as the tournament ended in conquest.
On 11 February 2017, Nacho made his 100th appearance for Real Madrid in a 3–1 away win against Osasuna. 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; he added four matches in the Champions League, again conquered by his team.
Nacho scored his first career brace on 21 January 2018, in a 7–1 win over Deportivo La Coruña. During that year's Champions League he made eight appearances while scoring one goal, 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.
Al-Qadsiah
On 27 June 2024, Nacho signed a two-year contract with newly-promoted Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah.
International career
Youth career
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.
Senior career
On 2 September 2013, Nacho 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. 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.
Nacho was named in Spain's final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 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. 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. He played 70 minutes before being substituted for club teammate Dani Carvajal in Spain's eventual 4–3 penalty shootout loss.
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. 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.
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.
In June 2024, Nacho was named in Spain's squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 finals in Germany. He started the team's first group match, playing the full match in central defence as Spain beat Croatia 3–0 at Berlin's Olympiastadion. He eventually featured in Spain's victory against England in the final, becoming one of 12 players who won both youth and senior Euro titles, alongside his teammates Mikel Merino, Ferran Torres, Álvaro Morata and Rodri.
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. Apart from his defensive skills, Nacho is also a precise passer of the ball in both short and long distances, with a 89.8% pass completion and accuracy in 2017–18. During the same season, he scored goals from set pieces.
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; Álex moved on, settling at Cádiz, and they played against one another in 2020 and 2023. Their physical appearance is quite dissimilar, owing to Álex's red hair.
In November 2016, Nacho revealed that he has lived with type 1 diabetes since he was 12 years old. Throughout his first five years in the first team, Nacho managed to avoid major injuries, attributing his success to his eating habits and preparation.
Nacho has four children with his wife María Cortés, two daughters and two sons.
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 30 August 2026
International
As of match played 14 July 2024
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nacho goal.
Honours
Real Madrid Castilla
Segunda División B: 2011–12 (Group 1); 2012 (overall champions)
Real Madrid
La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
Copa del Rey: 2013–14, 2022–23
Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024
UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2023–24
UEFA Super Cup: 2016, 2017, 2022
FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
Spain U17
UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2007
FIFA U-17 World Cup runner-up: 2007
Spain U21
UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2013
Spain
UEFA European Championship: 2024
UEFA Nations League: 2022–23