Nacho: Last year I was more out of team than in it, but football is a funny game

Nacho Fernandez has recognised that while he is playing more games for Real Madrid this season than last, the 'funny' nature of football means that things can quickly change.

The 31-year-old stepped up in the absence of Sergio Ramos, who was out after undergoing knee surgery but has since returned, and formed a strong partnership with Raphael Varane at the back.

"When I was a kid, I used to say I wish I could play for Real Madrid," Nacho said on El Transistor.

"Now I've played more than 200 games and I'm very happy defending this shirt, I hope I can do it for a long time.

"Will I renew? When the summer comes I will sit down with the coach and the club and we will make the best decision. It would be a dream to finish my career at Real Madrid. Last year I was more out of the team than in it, but football is a funny game."

Despite the return of Ramos, Zinedine Zidane has looked to keep Nacho in the side by playing a three-man defence, while his performances have been to such a high level that the Real Madrid boss could do without his captain last weekend for the trip to Celta Vigo and still come away with three points.

"I feel very confident, settled," he recognised. "It's been a very good year for me personally.

"On the pitch I feel different to other seasons; [I have] confidence, and playing matches in a row helps a lot. I'm very happy."

Real Madrid face Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League, and the Spaniard is wary of the Reds' attacking trident of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

"Liverpool are a very dangerous team offensively, the three up top are very good," Nacho stated.