Real Madrid’s ongoing struggles in defense have taken another hit as former player Nacho Fernandez has firmly closed the door on a possible return to the club. In an interview with *Cope*, Nacho, who is now playing in Saudi Arabia, made it clear that he would not entertain any call-back from the Spanish giants. “Real Madrid didn’t call me,” he stated. “Even if they did, I wouldn’t consider it. I made a clear decision knowing I’d play another 30, 40, or 50 games, and that idea hasn’t changed.”
This marks a definitive end to any hopes of a reunion with the club where he spent much of his career. Nacho, a loyal figure at the club, said that, for now, he will support Real Madrid as a fan.
The timing of his comments is particularly poignant as Real Madrid’s defensive crisis deepens. With David Alaba sidelined due to a serious knee injury that he sustained almost a year ago, and Eder Militão now also injured with a torn ACL, the team is left with only Antonio Rüdiger as a senior central defender. The club is actively exploring options to bolster their defense, but Nacho’s decision adds complexity to their plans.
Despite his departure, Nacho remains passionate about Real Madrid’s future. In the same interview, he expressed his hope that the club would focus on promoting local talent rather than signing external reinforcements. “I would love for the club to take the risk of not recruiting anyone and to give opportunities to our youth players,” he said, citing recent performances from players like Asencio as a sign of the potential within the club’s academy. “This is the right moment to take the leap and trust in the youth team,” he added.
For Real Madrid, Nacho’s stance is a blow, as the club now faces the difficult task of finding defensive reinforcements in the midst of a critical season. However, his comments also shed light on a potential shift in philosophy, one that emphasizes the importance of nurturing homegrown talent from within the club’s ranks.
