Málaga proudly waits the return of Isco
The people of Málaga are anxiously waiting the return of Isco in a Spain shirt for Saturday's friendly against Costa Rica at La Rosaleda. The player was born in the province before moving to Valencia and made a swift return with Unai Emery (Valencia coach at the time) failing to see potential in the player. The midfielder returned to his native Málaga playing for the local club, then under control of Al Thani. This is the time that Isco blossomed with his performance in the game against Dortmund a stand-out and not for the cruel, cruel way that the Spanish side were eliminated from the Champions League.
From Málaga to Madrid
After that decent spell with Málaga came the move to Real Madrid, which coincided with the arrival of Asier Illarramendi, who's time at Real Madrid was disappointing with both players forming part of the new policy to mix big international names with emerging local talent. His initial time at the club was far from easy. The untouchable "BBC" attacking trident and James Rodriguez ahead of him in the pecking order along with established midfielders such as Modric and Kroos with Casemiro arriving later. The player however took every opportunity he had to perform and slowly but surely weaved himself into the team and over time his hard work and quality shone through.
Local pride
This weekend the people of Málaga wait for the Benalmadena boy with a sense of pride. A local hero and indeed one at football ground around the country where he plays receiving plaudits from every quarter. His natural talent and initial static midfield style of play have been complimented by endeavour and vision. In recent years he's improved his game in every manner, not just by increasing his work rate. He now comes deep, looking for the ball, tracks back and helps out on defensive responsibility. He's also a tormentor for rival defences with his quick and incisive movement around the opposition penalty area and his name is no stranger to the goal sheet. As time goes by, no task is too big for the player relishing each challenge with the Spanish national side and Real Madrid and it's more than fitting that his return to his native land is a sense of pride for the locals.