Isco in the Nations League: Iscovery Channel

With 15 minutes of regular play remaining, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente makes an inconspicuous double substitution: Mikel Merino replaces Fabián Ruíz in left midfield, and Francisco Alarcón Suárez – better known as Isco – replaces Pedri and forms his counterpart on the right. True to form: two midfielders come on, two go. So far, so ordinary.

But the move actually sealed Isco's return to the Selección after six years. "He's enjoying playing football again, you can see that," Tobias Schweinsteiger euphorically declared on the DAZN microphone shortly afterwards, as the 33-year-old zipped across the pitch like in the good old days. In the 83rd minute, he fired a long-range shot that Portugal's Diogo Costa could only parry in mid-air. From this point on, it was clear: Isco was not only back, but had also arrived. The Nations League final clash between Spain and Portugal ended in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in normal time. Isco converted from the penalty spot, but was unable to avert defeat.

The "Golden Boy" – an award from the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, which he received in 2011 as a young star wearing the jersey of FC Málaga – once played in the midfield diamond at Real Madrid alongside world-class footballers such as Kroos, Modric and Casemiro. He was an integral part of Real's undisputed dynasty team, which won the Champions League three times in a row. However, his contract was not renewed in 2022. "I lost my enthusiasm," Isco later admitted in an interview for the Spanish TV show "Universo Valdano." At the end of his time at Los Blancos, he could no longer withstand the pressure of competition. After the departure of former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui in October 2018 – one of his biggest supporters – Isco had to give up his starting place to younger talents such as Federico Valverde and was faced with accusations of a decline in performance. He was no longer able to assert himself under later coaches Zinédine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.

Isco, who was already on the decline, subsequently became the victim of the structural rejuvenation of the Madrid squad. In the summer of 2022, he initially joined Sevilla FC on a free transfer – but he was not to be happy there either. Just a few months later, in December, his contract was terminated by mutual consent following a dispute with sporting director Monchi and disappointing performances – the lowest point of his career so far. At city rivals Betis, however, he now seems to have found happiness. Here, he found exactly the right conditions to play his way back to the top European level. And this season, he became a (re)discovery, one that captivated everyone. Just as he once did with his younger self.

Isco's footballing renaissance at Betis is due in no small part to the trust that coach Manuel Luis Pellegrini has placed in him after his disastrous time at Sevilla FC, allowing him to develop as a player. Pellegrini, who coached Isco in his younger years at Málaga, knows how to give him the tactical freedom to pursue his creative game. "Technically, the team needs creative players. Isco is exactly that," commented his former mentor from his Málaga days on his strong season. Isco benefits from Pellegrini's playing philosophy, which relies on plenty of possession and thus also his technical finesse. Ideal for the aging golden boy, who can dictate the tempo and set up his teammates in the central role of playmaker.

The Spaniard has once again earned the label of indispensable talent – ​​at least at club level – and demonstrated that he can still (or rather, again) play a decisive role on the European stage. This was particularly evident in the Conference League matches of the past season. Here, Isco could be seen leading the Verdiblancos to the first European final in the club's history in true leader-like fashion – which is one of the reasons why UEFA named him Player of the Tournament.

While he glimpsed the occasional glimpse of what once made him the greatest talent in Spanish football in his first season at Betis in 2023/2024, Isco has consistently demonstrated this in impressive fashion this season: Zidane-esque, he spun around with the ball, repeatedly knew how to play the decisive through ball at the right moment, and effortlessly lobbed his opponents, evoking memories of his bold times in the blue and white striped jersey. Who would have thought that an Isco highlight edit from 2025 would still provide so much hot material? With this visible joy in playing, he scored 23 points this season. "If he keeps this up, he'll definitely be called up to the Spanish national team again," predicted his coach.

So when Isco, in his red jersey, distributed balls and circled his opponents again in the final phase of the match at the Allianz Arena last Sunday, one could almost think that time had stood still: he last wore the Spanish national jersey on June 10, 2019, in a 3-0 victory in the European Championship qualifiers against Sweden.

In the run-up to the Nations League final, he jokingly said: "My kids are more excited about me watching Lamine than about me playing for the national team." Papa Isco also had a few cool moves up his ankle this season. Given this development, Union Berlin is likely to be annoyed that a January 2023 signing fell through at the last minute. For Isco, however, the failed deal turned out to be a real stroke of luck: At Betis, he is in the best possible hands under Pellegrini and is experiencing a football renaissance.

"I think I'm a more mature version of Isco now," the playmaker said, reflecting on the past season. Pellegrini also confirmed: "Isco has a special mentality, commitment, and motivation for Betis. We're getting along very well with him here."

While there were still concerns that his football skills might be rusting after the drama at Sevilla, Isco appears more lively on the pitch in 2025 than he has in a long time. Watching him is great fun. And not just for Tobias Schweinsteiger.