Isco blames himself for Real Madrid 'failure' as Betis star admits 'mental' struggles affected performances and reveals 'ultimate' retirement goal

Isco reflected on his nine-year stint at Real Madrid and took full accountability for things going downhill during the latter half of his career at the Santiago Bernabeu. In a candid conversation, the Spanish international blamed himself for failing to be consistent at the capital club. It wasn't just his past that he opened up about, revealing his "ultimate" retirement plans.

Isco was signed by Madrid in 2013, after the-then 21-year-old won the Golden Boy award at Malaga. After spending the first three seasons in a squad role, Isco became one of the first names on the team sheet under then-head coach Zinedine Zidane. 'Magisco', as he was called fondly by Madrid fans, played at the tip of a four-man diamond midfield and became one of the best players in the world, playing crucial roles in Blancos' Champions League wins in 2017 and 2018.

The No.22 was on path to achieving legendary status at Madrid. Instead, things went south immediately after Zidane's resignation as manager. Julen Lopetegui arrived after leaving the Spanish national team in the summer of 2018, but was sacked less than three months into his tenure after a 5-1 shellacking at the hands of Barcelona.

Santiago Solari, who was coaching Real Madrid Castila at the time, was chosen to take over the reins in an interim role. Isco, who was a guaranteed starter under Zidane first, and then his successor, saw himself getting frozen out by Solari. In fact, reports in Spanish media claimed that Solari was not satisfied with Isco's physical condition and overlooked him because he was out of shape.

The Argentine coach was sacked in March 2019 after a humiliating elimination in the Champions League at Ajax's hands. Zidane returned, but Isco continued to play a minor role. Things seemed to have changed in the 2019-20 season, where he once again started earning more playing time. However, he was no longer counted upon from the 2020-21 season, with Fede Valverde breaking through and establishing himself as a vital cog in Zidane's system. He left as a free agent in the summer of 2022, with a failed stint at Sevilla further exacerbating Isco's situation. Betis gambled on him and signed him in 2023, and the 33-year-old looks rejuvanted, helping Los Verdiblancos reach the final of the Conference League in May. His nine goals and eight assists in 22 league games earned him a much-deserved return to international football during the Nations League semi-final and final in June.

Speaking in an interview with France Football, Isco said: “Some coaches value you more than others, that's football. After a while, everything became more complicated for me in Madrid. When you're not in good shape mentally, it shows in your game. I was going through a rough patch, both sportingly and personally. I didn't know how to recover. The only person responsible for my failure is me.”

After leading Betis to a Europa League finish in La Liga, Isco will be hoping to continue his purple patch next season and remain in contention for a spot in Spain's squad for the 2026 World Cup. Finally, he revealed his "ultimate goal" in football. He said: "My ultimate goal? That I retire from football, not football retiring me. I'm currently experiencing one of the best moments of my career. I feel very loved at Betis, by my team-mates and the fans."