A genius midfielder who was on a downhill slope at Real Madrid showed signs of revival this season and even dreamed of returning to the Spanish national team.
Real Betis won 2-1 against Osasuna in the 11th round of the 2023/24 Spanish La Liga season held at Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville, Spain on the 29th (Korean time). With today’s win, Betis continued its undefeated streak for six consecutive league games, accumulating 17 points and raising its league ranking to 8th place.
The main character of the victory was Isco. After helping Willian Jose score in extra time in the first half, Isco scored the winning goal with a sharp curling kick from the left side of the penalty box after hitting the ball off the defense during a corner kick situation in extra time in the second half when the score was 1-1.
Isco joined Betis ahead of this season and currently has 2 goals and 2 assists in 11 league games, and he continued his recent form in this match.
However, few people predicted Isco’s performance. He suffered a severe downturn in his career, leaving Real ahead of last season. In the 2021/22 season, which was his final season at Real, Isco, who only started 3 games out of 14 league games, was in such extreme slump that his nickname as a ‘genius midfielder’ during his time at Malaga was worthless. Real eventually terminated Isco’s contract after the season and released him.
Afterwards, he joined Sevilla as a free agent, but failed to rebound at all even after playing for about five months. Sevilla released Isco once again as a free agent, and Isco spent about seven months unable to find a team before signing with Betis in July of this year.
However, Isco rebounded under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini, who coached him during his time at Betis, and is now in a situation where he can even look forward to a return to the Spanish national team.
On the 30th, Spanish media outlet Lelevo reported Isco’s interview after the Osasuna match, saying, “Isco’s happiness, the national team’s dream.”
“Isco helped Betis win 2-1 by assisting the opener and scoring the winning goal. He was named man of the match and the fans chanted his name after the game. He has played in 11 La Liga games since joining Betis. “He was selected as the best player of the game seven times.” 토스카지노 주소
According to reports, Isco did not hide his intention to return to the Spanish national team based on his performance at Betis, saying, “I am enjoying playing soccer here. I hope to return to the national team if possible. It would be the greatest honor.”
He went on to mention that he would be happy if he could join the national team, saying, “I am satisfied with what I am doing, the national team depends on my performance, and I would be happy if such an award came.”
Coach Pellegrini also acknowledged the possibility of Isco’s return to the national team, saying, “Isco’s current form is fantastic, and if he continues like this, he will be able to return to the national team.”
Isco has not been able to join the Spanish national team since the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers in 2019. Based on his performance at Betis this season, it will be interesting to see whether Isco can come aboard as part of the Invincible Armada once again.