Real Madrid defender Nacho said his team-mates have “great confidence” in their ability to succeed this season without Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo, while admitting the duo had been “essential” to the club’s success in recent years.
Head coach Zidane left the club after guiding Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League title in 2017-18 and was replaced by Julen Lopetegui.
The Frenchman’s departure preceded Ronaldo’s €112million transfer to Juventus, leaving Los Blancos without their all-time leading goal-scorer going into 2018-19.
Nacho, who played all 90 minutes of Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Getafe in their opening LaLiga match of the season, told GQ magazine that the loss of Zidane and Ronaldo had only strengthened his side’s resolve.
“They’ve been two very important people, but we’re going to strengthen and fight for everything to come,” said the 28-year-old.
“It’s clear that Zizou and Cris have been essential in the last few years but life goes on without them.
“We have to develop our strengths and continue competing.”
Born in Madrid, Nacho arrived in Real Madrid’s youth system at the age of 11. He made his senior debut in 2008–09, playing two games with the reserves in Segunda División B and subsequently appearing in a further two full seasons in that level; it was during this time he formed a long-lasting friendship with future Russian national team player Denis Cheryshev.
On 23 April 2011, Nacho made his first-team – and La Liga – debut, starting as a left back in a 6–3 away win against Valencia CF and playing in the entire match.His second appearance came the following week, in a 2–3 home loss to Real Zaragoza.
Nacho was one of the youth team players chosen to accompany the first team on their summer friendlies in North America, prior to the start of the 2011–12 campaign. He came on as a substitute in all three matches, against the LA Galaxy, C.D. Guadalajara and Philadelphia Union.