My children impress them to see Yamal than me

It’s been almost six years since it is Isco alarm Finally, dressed a Spanish selected type jersey. After a long absence marked by ups, falls and serious injury, experienced midfielder Real Betis He is now returning to the national stage; The Spanish virtuoso is called to the final tournament of the League of Nations. He performed excellently this year with his club in a conference league where he made his way to the finals, There, however, he had to acknowledge the superiority against English Chelsea.

“The secret is in enjoying”

“Mother soap, how long had been passing … I’m glad I returned after a long time. The desire to play for the national team never dries, « Isco told the official media of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), when he remembered his last matches, June 10, 2019 against Sweden. “I am here to enjoy the moment and hope we win. There are moments of doubt about career, especially when these things do not run, but just then it is important to persevere and not surrender. In the end, the love of football and passion brought me here again, « he continued for Rfef.

He says that the key to his return is that he re -discovered childhood joy to the game: “It is especially a feeling that you come somewhere where they appreciate you, where they trust you to reconnect with that young child in yourself who adored football and enjoyed it immensely. The secret is enjoying, « he explained to the RFEF media.

Trials on the way back

Isc’s way back was not easy. Among other things, he had to take a serious fibula injury, which claimed two surgeries, as, as he revealed in an interview with RFEF, « the first tile (inserted into his knee, op.) Was not well apprehended. » Due to this injury, he also missed the European Championship in Germany in 2024. « Life can surprise you when you least expect, » Isco thinks. “But this is also an obstacle that needs to be overcome, and I succeeded. It is true, however, that I am older, more mature now, and it helped me a lot. ”Despite his disappointment, because he could not perform in Germany, he encouraged his national team colleagues remotely; As he told RFEF, he even followed the matches during his recovery and honeymoon in Japan.

Family, Lamine Yamal and maturity on the field

An indispensable part of his return is the support of the family. « Without them, although it sounds like a cliché, I wouldn’t be able to return to such a high level, » he admitted. It was the family that provided one of the most warm anecdotes on his return. His younger children, four and five years old, have never seen him play for the national team. « They are more impressed by the fact that I will meet Lamin Yamal than see me in the national team jersey, » Isco revealed in a laugh. « So I’m also excited to see me playing for Spain. »

Isco spent his best years at Madrid Real. Photo: Sergio Perez/Reuters

Although he sees himself as a « slightly more mature » actor, Isco emphasizes that at his essence remains the same: “I still try to be the same player, enjoy, show what I carry within myself, and impress people with football. I am very pleased that I can continue to do what I love, that I returned to the national team, and I hope it will not be left with this call. « 

New goals and unfulfilled desire

Isco, which will wear its number 22 again, is not returning without clear goals. It has a clear goal: to conquer the League of Nations and thus fulfill another great desire in their career. “I have been playing for La Rojo since I was 14 or 15, I have experienced many beautiful moments, but it is true that I still feel some unemployed about the successes with the national team. I hope we manage to win this competition, « he is for Rfef He concluded Isco, who will first have to beat France with his teammates, and then the winner of the duel between Germany and Portugal.

Although Betis lost to Chelsea in the Conference League final, Isco became the best footballer of the tournament. Photo: Dylan Martinez/Reuters