Isco’s long and winding road towards redemption Premium

Isco's career had a rollercoaster ride, from being a star at Real Madrid to being without a team. But he never gave up and eventually found a new home at Real Betis, where he has been in top form. On Dec. 9, he will face his former club, Real Madrid, in a match that could be the final chapter of his return to the top.

There was a period when Francisco Alarcon ‘Isco’, looked like he was the next big thing in world football. The magician of Real Madrid had danced his way into the hearts of millions of Los Blancos fans; and after winning the UEFA Champions League in his first season at the Bernabeu, and playing a vital role at the attacking tip — Zinedine Zidane’s midfield trident or diamond during their historic three-peat (2016, 17, 18) — the magic of Isco had mesmerised all of Europe.

Then came the downhill. Going into the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Russia, Spain was among the favourites for the title, and all their hopes rested on Isco. However, things took a turn for the worse on the eve of the tournament when it emerged that Julen Lopetegui was to take up the managerial position left vacant by Zidane at Madrid.

This irritated the Spanish football federation, which saw the act as one of treason, and sacked Lopetegui just two days ahead of the opening match. Fernando Hierro, Spain’s Director of Football, took temporary charge. But the damage was done. The whole incident disrupted the team’s momentum and led to the team’s shock exit in the round-of-16.

With the high-profile departures of Zidane and the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid went on a rough patch the following season, going through three managers over a single campaign, with the last one the returning Zidane himself. With all the turbulence surrounding him, Isco never regained his form in the famous white of Madrid. Lopetegui found the demands of the Bernabeu overwhelming, and was let go months into the season. Santiago Solari, who replaced Lopetegui, wanted to see his lads motivated, but it wasn’t to be found in a depleted Isco. A fallout ensued and the coach relegated him to the bench.

With Zidane’s return, fans were hoping for the reinvention of their much-loved magician. But Zidane too found it difficult to accommodate Isco in his new system which focused more on structural integrity and defensive stability. Isco’s unpredictable movements of creativity had no role in this mechanical system. The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti (June 2021) also had no effect on Isco’s career. It was the Italian who managed Isco through his first season in white (2013-14), winning him his first Champions League medal.

By now the team’s core had undergone a major change, with young guns like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde ahead of the minutes-starved and out-of-touch senior. During Madrid’s enthralling run to yet another Champions League title in 2022, Isco was an unused substitute in nine of the 13 games.

The end came in the summer of 2022 when Real Madrid chose not to renew the midfielder’s contract, making him a free agent. That was when Sevilla, managed by Lopetegui, came calling. Isco did not have to think twice before accepting.