At the young age of 12, Nacho Fernandez, already in the Real Madrid academy, was diagnosed with diabetes. Doctors told him he may never play football again, and that the diabetes would greatly affect him for the rest of his life. But, Nacho prevailed, and continues to contribute to Real Madrid’s La Liga title run week after week.
It has been anything but smooth sailing for Nacho on his way to a respectable career with Real Madrid. Now at 27, the Spanish international, who has called himself a Real Madrid player for over 16 years, decided it was time to tell his life story dating back to his childhood.
In an interview with UEFA’s official website, Nacho explained his predicament and his daily struggle living with diabetes:
“I was only 12 when I found out I was diabetic. I’d been on Real Madrid’s books for two years and obviously it was a tough time. I remember going to the hospital – I was supposed to go to a tournament with Real Madrid but had to miss it – and I was seen by a doctor, not an endocrinologist. She told me my footballing days were over.”
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“I had a really rough time that weekend. Three days later I saw Dr. Ramirez, who would become my regular endocrinologist and whom I’ve grown very fond of.”
“He told me the complete opposite: in no way was football over for me. In fact, it was essential I continued playing because physical exercise is very important. That Monday, my life started again.”
While Dr. Ramirez was able to get Nacho on track and back to playing regular football, the struggle of living with diabetes affects the way Nacho goes about his daily life and his regular preparation for matches.
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“Of course it’s difficult, because you have to take care of yourself three times more than a normal person, but in a roundabout way I think that also helps. You have to take greater care with your diet and the way you rest. It makes you more responsible because you always have to carry your equipment [insulin, monitor, etc].”
“I have no limitations. I’m lucky enough to play football at the top level and I like playing all types of sport because it’s very important to do physical exercise. I do a bit of everything. When we’re on holiday, I like to cycle around the mountains. I do duathlons, triathlons … diabetes doesn’t prevent me from doing anything.”
Nacho jokes about the disease that nags him saying of it, “It’s like having a team-mate by my side,” always having to constantly take care of himself.
Nacho very well could find his way into the lineup for tomorrow’s second leg tie in Naples against Napoli in the Champions League round of 16. So, when watching the prolific defender play, just remember how much he’s had to endure on his path to European football, playing with his lifelong club, Real Madrid.
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