The 32-year-old is in excellent form and might even be called up by the Spanish national team for the March international break.
They say that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. And, Real Betis fans truly realised the importance of Isco over the first few months of the 2024/25 campaign, when the midfielder was unavailable as he recovered from a fibula fracture.
When he finally made his first appearance of the season, in the first week of December, Real Betis were in 11th position in LaLiga EA Sports.
Since then, Isco has led them up the table and Los Verdiblancos are now sixth, inside the European qualification spots.
They’ve won three games in a row and the most recent victory was a momentous one, a 2-1 win over Real Madrid. At a rainy Estadio Benito Villamarín, the Andalusian outfit fell behind to an early Brahim Díaz goal.
But, they never gave up and they fought back.
First, Johnny Cardoso headed in an Isco corner kick just before halftime to equalise. Then, early in the second half, Real Betis won a penalty and Isco kept his cool to fire past former teammate Thibaut Courtois, for his fifth goal in 11 league appearances.
The home side held on to that lead to earn three very valuable points in their quest to qualify for European football for a fifth consecutive season.
Still alive in this season’s Conference League as well, with a Last 16 tie against Vitória de Guimarães coming up, things are suddenly looking up for Real Betis. The January signing of Antony has also been a breath of fresh air for Los Verdiblancos, while teenager Jesús Rodríguez is looking better and better with each passing week.
But, the return of Isco might be the most important development behind the recent upturn in form. As coach Manuel Pellegrini put it after Saturday’s victory: “Isco’s abilities are contagious for the team, not only his technical ability but also his physical commitment.”
COULD ISCO RETURN TO THE SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM THIS MARCH?
With an international break coming up in March, and with Isco in such good form, there is a chance that the midfielder could be called up by Luis de la Fuente for Spain’s Uefa Nations League double header against the Netherlands.
Isco has represented La Roja 38 times, and was once the poster boy of the national team, but not since June of 2019 has he taken to the field in a Spain shirt.
Asked about the possibility following the win against Real Madrid, Isco didn’t shy away from the fact that he would love to represent his country one more time. He explained: “Going away with the national team is the dream for any player and I hope to have that opportunity again after not going for six years. I’m working to return one day.”
Whether he is called up or not, Isco is clearly back to his best and he puts his quality on display in every Real Betis game in LaLiga EA Sports. He has already led the team up five places in the table, and isn’t done yet.
BY: LaLiga EA Sports