The Defensive Genius, known as “One Club Man,” is Nacho Fernandez, the son of Maite Iglesias and José María Fernández Nacho. His life story is a testament to loyalty and hard work. Nacho, the eldest child in his family, grew up with his siblings Alex and Maite Fernandez, who shares the same name as their mother.
Living near Real Madrid, Nacho’s parents naturally encouraged their children to develop a love for football. After playing for a few years at his childhood club, AD Complutense, Nacho aimed higher and went for trials at the Real Madrid academy. Just a year into his time at the academy, he was diagnosed with diabetes, a challenging moment that defined his early years. Despite this, he took responsibility for his health, always carrying his medical equipment, including diabetes medicines, emergency snacks, and insulin.
Did you know? It was Jose Mourinho who promoted Nacho to Real Madrid’s first team, a milestone for which Nacho remains deeply grateful. Since then, Nacho Fernandez has achieved incredible success, winning six Champions League trophies, a record for any player.
How Nacho Overcame Diabetes to Become a Real Madrid Legend
Our version of Nacho Fernandez’s Childhood Story, including his Untold Biography, brings you a full account of notable events from his boyhood days to when he got famous.
The analysis of the Real Madrid Defensive Legend involves his life story before fame, family life and many OFF-Pitch facts little known about him.
Everyone is aware of Nacho’s legendary status at Real Madrid, where he, along with Dani Carvajal and the great Luka Modrić, boasts six UCL titles. We also shouldn’t forget Nacho’s spectacular volley in the 2018 FIFA World Cup opener for his country. However, only a hand few fans know much about Nacho’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s Begin.
Nacho Fernandez Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias was born on the 18th day of January 1990 in Madrid, Spain.
The Spanish footballer was born to his mother, Maite Iglesias, and his father, José María Fernández Nacho. Both lovely parents (pictured below) have their family origin from Madrid Spain.
Meet Nacho Fernandez’s Parents – his Father, José María Fernández Nacho and Mother, Maite Iglesias.
Nacho Fernandez’s childhood story is interesting, if not uncommon. It is that of a boy who went through a tough test in his early days and then became victorious.
Nacho was born as the firstborn child and son of his family. He grew up with two of his siblings, namely Alex and Maite Fernández, who bears the same name as her mother.
Young Nacho Fernandez with his siblings in his childhood days.
As a child, Nacho had a shy and quiet personality. On the other hand, he could be determined and energetic in his pursuit of knowledge and adapting to moral values taught to him by his parents.
Taking good care of his siblings denotes another attribute Nacho possessed during his childhood days.
This is young Nacho Fernandez, playing the big brother role. A blend of quiet introspection grounded in family values and sibling care.
Having Real Madrid close to their home created this natural likeness for football by Nacho’s parents. Both parents aided their sons in developing a natural likeness for football.
Nacho and Alex’s passion for football led them to join the local youth team AD Complutense. This local team provided the stage for them to showcase their talents, with the ultimate goal of enrolling successfully in the Real Madrid academy.
Nacho Fernandez Biography – Rise to Fame:
After spending a few years at AD Complutense, Nacho felt ready for a bigger challenge. Encouraged by his parents, he decided to try out for the Real Madrid academy and joined their youth system at the age of 11.
Just after one year of being at the academy, doctors told him he was diabetic. This moment defined Nacho’s struggles in the most important part of his childhood time.
First, he was advised to be determined by not letting the disease impact him negatively.
Having football academy commitments meant it was tough for Nacho to look after his career and manage his health on the other hand. The first had to be sacrificed for the other. In his words;
I remember going to the hospital when I was supposed to go to a tournament with Real Madrid but had to miss it. I was seen by a doctor, not an endocrinologist, who told me my football days were over. That weekend was really rough. Three days later, I saw Dr. Ramírez, who would become my regular endocrinologist and someone I’ve grown very fond of. He told me the complete opposite: football was not over for me. In fact, continuing to play was essential because physical exercise is very important. That Monday, my life started again.
Nacho, with the support of his club, took greater care with his diet and the way he rested.
Apart from making himself more responsible health-wise, Nacho had to carry his medical equipment such as Diabetes medicines, Cell phones, Emergency snacks, first-aid kits, insulin, monitors, water bottles etc., wherever he went.
There were food types he was careful about. Nacho became lucky as his diabetes came under control.
More so, he got along well with his doctors, continued his career without fear and grew up in the club’s youth football ranks.
On September 2, 2012, main squad manager José Mourinho announced that Nacho, along with Álvaro Morata and Jesús, would be promoted to the first team but continue playing with Castilla. Both he and his brother graduated from Real Madrid’s academy and made their first-team debuts in the same game. The rest, as they say, is history.
Maria Cortes Nacho Fernandez Love Story:
Football is a golden tree, a place where Nacho found shade and solace while troubled with Diabetics.
In other to build up a complete picture of his life, Finding love was also important for Nacho.
That he saw in the lady, Maria Cortes Milan, who was born on the 13th of February 1989 (a year older than her husband).
Nacho and Maria met in her school while he was a few years into the Real Madrid academy.
Maria is well educated with a degree in Marketing and Communication. Nacho and Maria got married in 2014 at the Iglesia de la Asunción Church in Meco (Madrid).
Maria, after his marriage to Nacho, became blessed with two lovely kids, as seen in their family happy times photo below.
Nacho once proved he is a family man when he said, “Even if I don’t play, I’m usually a very calm person,” he added. “I like to talk things out a lot with my family.”
Below is the family celebrating their hero and role model on his birthday.
Nacho Fernandez Family Life:
Without question, Nacho’s parents, José María Fernández and Maite Iglesias have been two fundamental people in Nacho’s sports career.
The Real Madrid footballer has been in the white club for 15 years, thanks in large part to the mentality that his parents were able to instil in him as a child. Back then, his parents would always tell him;
Son, please enjoy every moment with the white shirt and work to achieve your goals.
Nacho himself has confessed many times.
“Every time I went home, my parents told me ‘think where you are going and take advantage of it, because you never know when it may end”
More on Nacho Fernandez’s Parents:
José María and Maite are aware of the difficulty involved not only in playing in Real Madrid but staying for many years.
Both have supported their beloved son even though they see less playing time at the club.
This belief in having patience with one club doesn’t go well with Alex (Nacho’s younger brother), who, after his debut for Real Madrid, ended up looking for a life away from the Bernabéu.
Álex left Real Madrid in August 2013 by mutual consent. He signed shortly after with RCD Espanyol at the top level, where he played against his older brothers’ team.
From 2015 to 2017, Alex played for four clubs, namely, Rijeka, Reading, Elche and Cádiz.
Appreciation Note:
Thanks for reading our Nacho Fernandez Biography and Childhood Story. We strive for accuracy and fairness while delivering the Biographies of Spanish Footballers.
