Tucked less than 20 km west of Málaga on Spain’s Southern Costa de Sol lies the quiet town of Benálmadena. In addition to its quintessential Andalusian beaches and historic architecture, the town is home to one of Spain’s greatest midfield talents: Francisco Román Alcarón Suárez, known to the world as Isco.
The Andalusian star was a centerpiece of Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane’s iconic Real Madrid sides that dominated Europe from 2014–18. With a deft left foot and his natural right, Isco’s dribbling ability drew eyes across the continent, earning the nickname “la Magia” in Madrid. Having won the Golden Boy at Málaga in 2012, expectations were high, but the youngster was unphased. For context, the previous winners of the award included Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney. Paul Pogba won the year after him.
Despite competing with elite midfielders like Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Xabi Alonso, Isco’s goal scoring ability and passing vision meant regular inclusion in the starting 11. Even when rotated, his contributions from the bench were impactful, often breaking defensive lines and threading key passes from near-impossible positions.
After a glorious run at the Santiago Bernabéu with two of his early managers, Isco’s form and luck dwindled in the post-Zidane era. A combination of injuries and a lack of trust from management killed the spark and consistency that had built Isco into an international star. His last spotlight period came during the 2018 FIFA World Cup where he played alongside David Silva, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Jorge “Koke” Resurrección Merodio. Spain’s run came to an end at the hands of the hosts Russia in a heartbreaking penalty shootout.
Since the 2018 summer, Isco struggled to establish himself at Real Madrid. A new crop of South American talent including Federico Valverde and Vinícius Júnior limited his attacking and midfield inclusion. The trio of Modríc, Kroos and Casemiro was seemingly bullet-proof, leaving the Spaniard as a peripheral player for extended periods. Alongside Madrid’s positional overload was Isco’s physical decline. Recurring back problems, ankle injuries and apparent weight gain limited his versatility.
Despite both Ancelloti and Zidane returning to Madrid for second spells, Isco was not the dynamic midfield magician he was when they first left. Eventually, the Andalusian playmaker, now approaching his thirties, had to find another project. In 2022, he joined Sevilla which was headed by Julen Lopetegui, and then Jorge Sampaoli who previously had a disastrous spell with the Argentine national team. As a club, Sevilla was in a deep transition, having sold core players and failing to replace them. The golden era of Union of European Football Association Europa League titles and formidable La Liga runs was a fading memory. The project wasn’t a fit for Isco. Sampaoli’s ultra-physical playing style was not compatible with Isco’s control and possession-based style. A sour ending saw his contract terminated in December 2022.
Soon, a deal looked on with Bundesliga side Union Berlin, taking Isco beyond Spanish football for the first time in his career. However, due to tight budgets and last-minute contract revisions, the parties couldn’t reach an agreement.
Isco spent the next few months as a free agent training independently at home. Rumoured moves to Brazil and Major League Soccer were teased in the media, but in the summer he was given a lifeline by former coach Manuel Pellegrini. Pellegrini had watched the young star blossom at Malaga from 2011–13. In this time, Isco led the Andalusian side to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, an unprecedented feat for the club. He was seconds away from a semi-final spot before Borrusia Dortmund ended his hopes.
At Málaga, Isco was the focal point of the attack and functioned at the heart of the playing 11. Despite having aged and his sporadic play during his time at Madrid and Sevilla, Pellegrini knew Isco had to be central to the Real Betis attack to maximize his return.
The reunion was poetic. The prodigal son, now in his immaculate maturity, returned to his original coach for one last dance. With a point to prove, more so to himself than critics, Isco hit the ground running. In the 2023–24 La Liga season, he scored eight goals and five assists, leading Real Betis to a seventh place finish in the top flight. This meant a return to the European stage, as Real Betis qualified for the UEFA Conference League. The last time he replicated such stats was during the 2016–17 season with Madrid, arguably his prime.
Pellegrini attempted to sign Isco back after moving to Manchester City in 2013. Fans can only wonder how that would’ve turned out. But when Real Madrid calls, you answer. And for a young coastal boy coming from a region that produced the likes of Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid was the pinnacle.
Real Betis have reinforced their side with new signings. Giovani Lo Celso and Antony Matheus dos Santos filled in attacking gaps, offering Isco combinations in the final third. Marc Roca’s arrival from Leeds also infused attacking energy into the squad. Two goals against Real Sociedad last weekend proved his quality against strong opposition.
Isco’s sheer presence in the Real Betis midfield has lifted spirits around him. From the stands at the Estadio Benito Villamarín to the youngsters on the bench, having a generational talent play with the energy levels of a 21-year-old is powerful. There is a sense of unity around the club and Real Betis seems a few seasons away from a major trophy, whether in Spain or Europe as a whole.
Pellegrini is a master tactician and understands Isco’s value to the Real Betis culture on and off the field. For Isco, this is an opportunity that is well merited. Having never truly led a side apart from his early stardom wearing blue and white at Málaga, Real Betis is a platform to express his holistic football role. Not only as a technical genius but as a game-winning leader.
