Real Madrid Issue was discovered at the age of 12

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Real Madrid and Spain defender Nacho Fernandez has revealed that he has struggled with a fight against diabetes throughout his career.

Although he has been determined not to let it impact him in a negative way, he admitted that it has been tough for him on occasion to look after himself.

"Many people don't know that I'm diabetic and it wasn't that I wanted to keep it secret but it is something I usually only discuss when visiting children in hospital," said the 26-year-old to MARCA.

"I've had it since I was 12 years old but it is okay because I'm very careful about it. If you have to take care of yourself as a footballer then being a diabetic too means you have do it three times as much.

"I'm a normal person though. It is a disease that is there but I do things right in dealing with it and always try to take care of myself."

The versatile Real Madrid youth product also opened up on how a professional footballer is affected in his private life by struggling for playing time.

"Even if I don't play, I'm usually a very calm person," he added. "I like to talk things out a lot with my family.

"When you get to an age where you aren't playing regularly then a thousand things go through your head and it is difficult but I'm always quiet and work hard."