Six Real Madrid players called up to the Spanish national team for the 2018 World Cup
By Ben Sundock
Nacho Fernandez
Depth center back Nacho Fernandez will be making his first World Cup appearance at age 28 this summer. Having played only 15 matches in his career for the senior squad, this is a huge deal for Nacho to make the 23-man roster.
The Madrid native has only made one appearance in 2018 for Spain but Lopetegui has been impressed with his ability to come off the bench and play disciplined football. It also helps a great deal that Fernandez can play either fullback position or come on for Pique or Ramos at center back.
The only appearance the defender made this year was during the March international break against Germany, playing 39 minutes in the 1-1 draw.
Nacho is not new to the big stage as he was a member of the U-21 Spanish team that won the European Championship in 2013. He was also on the U-17 team in 2007 when they won the same title and finished runners-up in the U-17 World Cup.
While he may not play as much as the other Real Madrid players called up, expect to see Nacho on the field late in games to help close down the attack.