Real Madrid have confirmed that long-serving defender Nacho Fernandez has signed a new one-year contract with the club and will take over as captain.
Although Nacho’s previous contract was set to expire this summer, he announced earlier this month that he had decided to stay in Madrid for an additional 12 months.
Nacho has been designated the new team captain, replacing Karim Benzema, who left Real Madrid earlier this summer to join Al Ittihad, now that his contract is final, according to Real Madrid.
Nacho has also extended his contract by one year, joining Toni Kroos as the midfield captain.
At the age of 11, Nacho enrolled in the Real Madrid academy. Since then, he has made 319 appearances for the senior team and has won no fewer than 23 titles throughout his 22 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 33-year-old has not always been a starter during his time at the club but has willingly filled in anywhere across the backline, proving to be a reliable option at times of crisis and offering some veteran leadership in the dressing room.
“I see him every day, and I understand his discomfort at not playing, and he’s gone through moments where he was not happy,” manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed earlier this season. But he’s not complained, he continued to suffer, and show professionalism.
“When I have needed him, he’s been ready. I’m not here to make friends, but for Real Madrid to win.”