The Malaga-born midfielder broke down as Real Betis secured a historic return to the Champions League, ending a drought of over two decades.
Few players in football history have lifted the Champions League trophy five times. Isco Alarcon, a core member of Real Madrid’s most successful era in this century, is one of them. Yet for the man from Benalmádena, guiding Betis back to Europe’s elite competition for the first time in more than 20 years is an unparalleled achievement. This memorable feat came during what was undoubtedly the most challenging season of his career.
The season started in the worst possible way for the gifted playmaker. In August, during the final pre-season friendly at La Rosaleda, a reckless tackle brought back painful memories from a year earlier, when a fractured fibula and subsequent complications kept him sidelined for over six months. He underwent another surgery, endured another grueling rehabilitation from scratch, and trained alone in silence, unable to help his team on the pitch.
In November, a glimmer of light appeared at the end of the tunnel. He completed his recovery on schedule and returned to action in late November. But in just his second start of the season, disaster struck again. While contesting a loose ball outside the box, a heavy collision between Amrabat and Isco’s ankle resulted in another serious injury — a double blow this time. Darkness descended once more, and doubts began to surface about whether he could ever return to the pitch.
Initial conservative treatment quickly gave way to arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage. Cartilage issues emerged, and for weeks, no news came from the Malaga man. Uncertainty about his ability to return unsettled the dressing room, the coaching staff, and the fans. But through immense effort and sheer determination, the captain was able to reclaim the armband and return to the pitch he loves.
He played only in short bursts, carefully managing his workload, avoiding physical contact wherever possible, and slowly trying to regain his rhythm. Doubts always lingered. But in the end, he stood alongside his teammates as Betis secured a place in the Champions League. Facing a Betis side that had just qualified for the competition, Isco could not hold back his tears — tears of joy, excitement, and perhaps frustration at everything he had endured. Ultimately, it was an emotional release brought by a happy ending after a horrific year.
“The boss is going to the Champions League, he’s going to the Champions League,” said Hector Bellerin as he embraced Isco in the green-and-white celebrations at La Cartuja. The captain wept uncontrollably, because no one understood better than him what he had been through. All the effort, pain, disappointment, and relentless work just to keep feeling football. Isco’s trophy cabinet already holds five Champions League titles, but he knows that leading Betis to this competition is worth just as much as any other trophy he has won. The hope is to see him wearing the captain’s armband when the Champions League anthem rings out at La Cartuja — a wish shared by Manuel Pellegrini, his teammates, and every Betis fan.
