Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez has revealed he came back from childhood diabetes to forge a career at the top-level of football.
Nacho – who made his 100th appearance for Los Blancos in Saturday’s win at Osasuna – explained how as a 12-year-old he told he would never make it in the sport.
"I had been playing for two years at Real Madrid and it was a tough time," Nacho told UEFA ahead of their Champions League tie with Napoli.
"I remember, when I went into the hospital, the doctor who saw me wasn't the one who should have seen me."
"That doctor told me that I couldn't continue playing football and it was a really bad weekend for me."
"But three days later I saw Dr Ramirez, someone I'm very fond of. He told me the opposite - that I had not finished with football at all."
"I am lucky to play football, I like to play all kinds of sports, exactly because of that, because it is very important to do physical activity."
"I have no limitations. There are meals that I have to be a little more careful with but I eat everything and I am lucky to have it well controlled."
"It makes you be a more responsible person and take more care of yourself."