Real Madrid: Nacho Extends 22-Year Stay With Spanish Club, Named New Captain

(Photo : CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images) Real Madrid's Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match between Cadiz CF and Real Madrid CF at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz on April 15, 2023.

Long-time Real Madrid defender Nacho has agreed to a short-term deal to stay in the Spanish capital, making the upcoming 2023-24 season his 23rd year as a Real Madrid player.

Born and raised in Madrid, Nacho arrived in the club's youth system as an 11-year-old in 2001.

After graduating from Real Madrid's academy, he made his first-team debut in 2011 in an away La Liga fixture against Valencia, playing the whole match in the 6-3 victory.

The 33-year-old has made 319 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 16 goals and providing 9 assists.

The Spanish international was part of the Real Madrid squads that achieved five Champions League victories, three La Liga titles, and two Copa Del Rey wins in the past decade.

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Nacho Named Real Madrid's Captain

Now the longest-tenured player from the first team, Nacho has been named the club's new captain for the 2023-24 season following the departure of striker Karim Benzema for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.

The club will now have four different captains for the past four seasons. Spanish center-back Sergio Ramos wore the captain's armband in 2020-21 before departing to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Brazilian left-back Marcelo performed the role in 2021-22, lifting the Champions League trophy in his last club match before leaving for Greece.

Benzema assumed captaincy for the 2022-23 season, scoring 31 goals with the armband.

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