The fall and rise of Isco
Former Real Madrid playmaker Isco will face Los Blancos this weekend, having finally found a home at Real Betis.
Having fallen out of favour towards the end of his trophy-laden, nine-year spell with Real Madrid, Isco hoped a switch to Seville would help him revive his career last August.
Sevilla's swoop for the decorated free agent was viewed as a shrewd move by many, including the 5,000 fans who attended his unveiling at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, but the playmaker agreed to terminate his contract less than five months later.
So, for the second time in as many summers, Isco found himself at a crossroads ahead of the 2023-24 season. Only this time, he was seeking a new club after enduring a half-season away from football.
As it turns out, Seville was the right place for Isco to reignite his career; he just needed two attempts to find the right Andalusian club. Enter Real Betis.
With Isco thriving ahead of Saturday's meeting with former club Madrid, More Than A Game asks how the 31-year-old has re-established himself as one of LaLiga's foremost creators.
ISCO A VICTIM OF SEVILLA DECLINE
Isco was, more than anything, a victim of circumstance during his ill-fated spell with Sevilla.
After 29 games of the 2021-22 season, Sevilla were dreaming of an unlikely title challenge, sitting second in LaLiga behind eventual champions Madrid. Sixteen draws eventually limited Julen Lopetegui's side to a fourth-place finish, their third in as many full campaigns under him, but that was still widely regarded as another success.
However, last Autumn saw Lopetegui's intricate, patient style become laboured and uncertain, and Isco, thrust into a struggling team after having no pre-season upon his August arrival, was unable to inspire an upturn.
Lopetegui, who placed great trust in Isco during his spells in charge of Madrid and Spain, was sacked with Sevilla 17th in LaLiga last October, and the subsequent return of Jorge Sampaoli – as well as a falling-out with then-sporting director Monchi – led to the playmaker tumbling down the pecking order.
By mid-November, Sampaoli had grown tired of Isco's failure to meet his physical demands, and the Argentine said the midfielder "did not meet expectations" upon his departure in December. The same could be said of Sampaoli, who was also gone within another three months.
A move to Union Berlin fell through in January despite Isco passing a medical with the Bundesliga club, who subsequently said his wage demands exceeded their "limits".
In a recent interview with DAZN, Isco opened up on the mental toll of a turbulent few months, offering another reminder of football's duty of care – so often overlooked – to those it chews up and spits out.
"I went through some difficult moments. In the end, I decided to stop for a while because I needed to. I needed to recycle myself mentally," Isco said.
"I have had help with family support and psychological support. In the end, mental health is very important. We have to give it more awareness. Now, I feel good."
It wasn't easy to see a way back for Isco, who has seen former team-mates Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale retire in their early 30s just a few months on from their own Madrid exits.
Isco, however, has found a home in Seville at the second time of asking.
GRASS IS GREENER WITH VERDIBLANCOS
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