He didn’t leave much to be desired at Union, but at Real Betis he’s impressing on the assembly line. Isco has returned to his former glory – and can even hope for a return to the Spanish national team
Who would have described signing Isco as a gamble a few years ago? But many Betis fans probably turned up their noses when the transfer of Isco was announced in the summer of 2023. The makers in Andalusia also built in at least a little insurance. The 31-year-old “only” received a one-year contract
In the meantime, Isco is no longer a risk for his own club, but for his opponents. With two goals, two assists and a string of strong performances at Betis, he played a key role in the Whites’ sixth-place finish. Being voted best player of the match is more the rule than the exception – this was the case in eight out of twelve games. In the Europa League, he headed the winning goal against Sparta Prague at the beginning of October.
And so Isco is on a shortlist of players that Spain coach Luis de la Fuente could call up. On November 16, the Furia Roja will play in the European Championship qualifier in Cyprus, followed by a game against Cyprus in Valladolid three days later. For the Group A leaders, progression is now just a formality
Isco ignites the spark
But what has happened to the player about whom Marca recently wrote that he could “ignite the spark that is capable of turning games in his team’s favor”? Who is suddenly being praised for his “positive attitude, constant work and camaraderie”?
Characteristics for which the “old” Isco was not exactly known. Instead, he is the epitome of the sloppy genius who can do everything but doesn’t really want to. In his early days at Malaga, the then youngster was so impressive that Real Madrid signed him and didn’t let him go for a long time. The fact that he is capable of igniting the aforementioned spark was also evident there, but it was simply too rare.
Instead, the director often seemed lethargic and they waited in vain for the big breakthrough in Madrid. When he was given another chance in the cup against third-division side CD Alcoyano in January 2021, he alienated many fans by joking around with Marcelo before the extra time that was anything but planned – the Whites were ultimately eliminated in a sensational manner. “Maybe I should have left earlier,” he recently said in retrospect in an interview with AS.
Coming full circle in Seville
In the summer of 2022, Isco then joined Sevilla FC, from then on he almost only made headlines off the pitch. He terminated his contract at the end of December, following poor performances and apparently a scuffle with then manager Monchi. This was followed in January by a failed transfer to Union Berlin with mutual accusations. At the time, the midfielder described the negotiations with the Köpenickers as “outrageous”.
Until his transfer to Betis, Isco kept himself fit on an individual basis and did not want to make the move to Saudi Arabia despite several offers and “high sums”. “I’m young and still have many years of soccer at a good level ahead of me. Now it’s up to me to prove that.”
At Betis, he now shines with a number of strong statistics, be it in terms of ball action, passing percentage or the penultimate passes that lead to a goal. Coach Manuel Pellegrini deploys him in a 4-2-3-1 at the “10”, his favorite position. It seems as if Isco, at the age of 31, really can prove himself again – possibly in the national team and at next summer’s European Championship
