Isco reborn: How Real Betis have revitalised the former Real Madrid star

"Isco, Isco, Isco," was the chant that rang around the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Sunday night, as the midfielder was given a standing ovation when substituted off during Real Betis' 3-0 victory over Valencia CF. The Béticos had just witnessed another stellar display from the 31-year-old, who is undoubtedly back to his best.

While he didn't score in the team's convincing win against Valencia CF, Isco's first club, he did hit the woodwork with one long-range strike and then make a direct impact on the scoreboard with an assist. It was Isco's corner that Marc Roca headed in for the team's second goal of the night at the beginning of the second half. "Isco is a magician, the cross was a delight," Roca stated afterwards.

This time last year, Isco was playing across the city for Sevilla FC. However, it didn't work out at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán and the two parties agreed to terminate his contract during the pause for the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar. As such, when Isco signed with Real Betis during the summer, to link up again with his former Málaga CF coach Manuel Pellegrini, he hadn't played since November 13th 2022.

For a player with such innate talent, that didn't matter. When he stepped out exactly nine months later to make his competitive debut for Real Betis away at Villarreal CF, on August 13th 2023, Isco was so brilliant that he was named the MVP of the match, which Los Verdiblancos won 2-1. That was just the beginning, as the Spaniard already has five MVP awards to his name this campaign.

Looking at his stats for the season as a whole, there are several that stand out. Isco ranks second in LALIGA EA SPORTS for key passes per game, with 3.1. He added four of these key passes in the victory over