Real Madrid: Isco tires of weight debate and opens online poll
After starting the last seven games on the bench and amid speculation about his fitness, the midfielder asked social media to cast their vote.
Real Madrid midfielder Isco has opened an online poll after recent suggestions that he is out of shape after undergoing an appendectomy in September.
The Spain international was a regular starter under former Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui but has failed to make the XI in any of Santiago Solari’s seven games in charge since the Argentinean took the helm. There has been talk of a falling out between Isco and Solari, which the Real manager was quick to downplay, while the midfielder’s physical fitness after coming back from surgery has also been put forward as a reason for his lack of playing time.
Clearly frustrated by the debate over his readiness to play, Isco posted a picture on social media and asked his followers to vote. Shirtless and in training shorts, the 26-year-old snapped himself in front of a mirror and posed the question: “Am I fat?” The majority of respondents, examining the evidence on display, replied “no.”
Isco out of favour under Solari
Isco has been a substitute five times since Solari took over and failed to make the squad at all for the Champions League game away at Roma, leading to speculation that the Real boss was punishing the midfielder for a training ground dispute.
In total, Isco has played just 78 minutes across Solari’s seven games in charge, 14 percent of the 560 available. Against Valencia on Saturday evening, he was handed just 10 minutes off the bench in Real’s 2-0 victory.
