'I don't even think about it' - Nacho Fernandez shuts down talk of Real Madrid return as he gloats about earning 'much more money' in Saudi Arabia

The 34-year-old defender parted ways with his boyhood club at the end of the 2023-24 season after his contract expired. After spending 13 years at Santiago Bernabeu, Nacho Fernandez left Europe to move to Saudi Arabia and joined the newly promoted Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah.

The Spaniard has been asked about his decision to move to the Middle East and if he would consider returning to Los Blancos in future. It has been reported that Real could consider re-signing Nacho amid a defensive injury crisis, but he insists he is happy in Saudi Arabia on a higher wage packet.

Speaking to COPE, the defender said: "They haven't called me, but I don't even think about it. Now I have to suffer with Real Madrid as a fan. It is a decision that I was very clear about, I felt that my time had come.

"I'm super proud of everything I experienced at Real Madrid, but I don't regret it [leaving]. I don't have to lie either, logically I earn much more money here than at Real Madrid. No one is going to change me for telling me that I came here for the money."

After Nacho's departure, the Spanish champions did not make a defensive signing in the summer and that decision is proving to be costly for the club at the moment as Eder Militao recently ruptured his ACL and has been ruled out of action for the entire season. Los Blancos, however, are likely to sign a new defender in January with Al-Nassr's Aymeric Laporte linked with the club.