DHAHRAN: Al-Qadsiah’s Spanish captain, Nacho Fernandez, has  described his experience at the club as a “pleasure” as he spoke about his experience in Saudi football at “Ithra Cultural Days: Spain” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture on Thursday night.

On stage with journalist Khaled Alarafah, Nacho opened up about his adaptation to the Saudi Pro League, his role at Al-Qadsiah, and the ways he hopes to contribute to the club’s growth and the development of the sport in the region.

“I feel lucky to be on a very easygoing team because I have wonderful teammates, both foreigners and Saudis,” the former Real Madrid defender said. “In the year and a half I’ve been here, we’ve managed to build a family, and it’s a pleasure to go to training with them every day.”

Born Jose Ignacio Fernandez Iglesias in Madrid, the 35-year-old defender has long been known by his nickname Nacho, a traditional Spanish diminutive of Ignacio.

He joined Real Madrid’s academy at age 10 and went on to spend 23 years at the club, making over 300 appearances for the senior team, winning 25 major trophies and earning 29 caps for the Spanish national team.

Nacho joined Al-Qadsiah, founded in Alkhobar in 1967, in the summer of 2024 shortly after Real Madrid claimed their 15th UEFA Champions League with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. It was a personal sixth medal in Europe’s premier club competition for the player, a joint record.

“What has surprised me the most about the people of Saudi Arabia is the warm welcome; they embraced me and my family with generosity and genuine care,” Nacho added. “Family is very important in Saudi Arabia, just as it is in Spain.”

He also said football supporters across the Kingdom were special.

“I think about the Saudi football fans — they’re just as passionate about football as in Spain,” Nacho said. “I love seeing people with so much passion and I think that’s exactly what sports needs: passion.

“I don’t understand the chanting at the stadiums with the drums, but I imagine they’re meant to cheer the team on,” he laughed as the crowd at Ithra cheered along. 

Nacho also highlighted the potential for Saudi football to maintain the remarkable growth it has experienced in recent years.

“I think Spanish football has been established for many more years, it’s recognized worldwide,” he said. “But here, in Saudi, things are emerging but being done very well. In fact, many of us foreigners are coming here to play, and the competitive spirit is important for all of us.”

Al-Qadsiah currently sit fifth in the Saudi Pro League table, and recently appointed former Liverpool and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers as their new head coach. Nacho said that football in Saudi has a different tempo to what he experienced in his home country.

“I would say I notice a big difference, maybe as a defender, I’d say, in Spain the game is a bit more intense, like the whole team is focused on attacking and defending as one block. Here, I notice there’s more space on the field.”

On why he chose to join Al-Qadsiah, he left a glowing review.

“Why this team? Well, because they gave me peace of mind, care and above all, the assurance that my family would be well. So when I started on this new journey, when we made the first contact, I think everything was resolved within just a week.”

For the next step in his career, he is keen on continuing to mentor aspiring players, many of whom seemed to be in the audience at King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithara.

“I’ve been a good leader. Everything I’ve learned in my career I’ve put back to help the younger players and use that experience to win matches,” Nacho added. 

“Are we on the right track? I think so. Last year we had a very good season, and this year we are still fighting. The project is where it needs to be, and between the club, the players, and everyone involved, we’ll do everything possible to get back to the top. And we are,” he concluded to roaring applause.