Every passing game sees the relationship between Isco and Santiago Solari deteriorate, and it is now at the point of no return.
The Real Madrid midfielder has often gone to social media to clear up issues this season, such as denying that he refused to speak with Sergio Ramos, or explaining his episode with Chendo, but on Thursday he went to Twitter as he replied to Ruben de la Red's comments about his situation with Los Blancos.
Isco said that he does not have the same opportunities as his teammates. While he is not talking about those that are often in the starting line-up, it is more of a pointed comment towards Solari looking to recover the form of Gareth Bale and Marcelo, two players who have underwhelmed for much of this season.
Another point that the 26-year-old made was that he will continue to work hard and fight as he waits for an opportunity to arrive. Having been relegated to the bench since Solari took over, Isco - a key player in Madrid's recent Champions League successes - is 21st in the squad when it comes to minutes played under the Argentine.
Ever since Isco said in one of Solari's first training sessions that the players would not count the amount of touches during an exercise, something the coach had asked them to do, that was the first crack in the relationship between the two.
Solari is not a fan of Isco as a footballer, and he has not connected with Isco as a person. In the 42-year-old's first LaLiga Santander game in charge, away at Celta Vigo, Isco was on the bench and did not come on, something that would become a recurrent theme. The next game, away at Eibar, the player did not respect Solari's decisions as he once again stayed on the bench. That was followed by Isco being left in the stands as Madrid beat Roma away from home in the Champions League, a climax in this set of episodes.
In the press, Solari has never thrown Isco under the bus. "They are all fundamental," the coach said in reference to the No. 22's situation, instead emphasising the collective. "Of course, Isco, too. He's a great player. He has given us, and will give us, lots of joy."
The amount of questions the Argentine has had to answer about Isco must have exceeded 30, while Solari has always gone out of his way to praise some of the other players who have not featured so much - Keylor Navas, Bale and Marcelo.
One of the latest episodes in the saga between the two came when Isco started away at Leganes in the Copa del Rey second leg, a game that carried little weight after Madrid's 3-0 first leg victory, but he was brought off after 70 minutes, with the two failing to consult each other as the midfielder left the pitch.
Isco never considered leaving Madrid in the January transfer window as he is aware that his future at the club depends on that of Solari. As things currently stand, the Malaga-born playmaker will sooner or later start watching matches in the crowd, or on television. At the Camp Nou, he was dressed ready, but the call never arrived. We will see what happens in the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.
Regardless, Isco is not going to just sit there and take all that is being said about him. His social media platforms act as his loudspeaker, even stating things that true fans already knew: that he was not receiving the same treatment from Solari as his teammates.
He will have to wait for Luis Enrique to potentially call him up for the Spanish national team in March, just so that he can play some football.
Isco is having a season that nobody could have imagined.
alhajiali
0
maybe they both has to come out with the real reason(TRUTH)
faokortyz
0
what's wrong with Solari...YOU CANNOT BENCH A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER WHO ALWAYS PLAYED IN THE STARTING LINE UP!!!! personal stuff must never interfere with you work priorities
is a lie
faokortyz
1
hey I believe u don't watch action in d game instead mare images cuz if u do u will not have said that isco is neither a play maker nor he do makes assist in d game.
ladiadewumi
0
Isco should stay humble, work hard and support his manager. Number error is trying to tell the manager what to do in training. He's in charge, not Isco. Isco got his chances to impress but wasted them.
Ducadekmn
1
This look like a personal thing to me i its hard to select from team like real madrid but solari should know that he about break isco heart in pieces he needs game time so if he not playing its obvious he leave Madrid for other teams that would want to give him game time to showcase his talent so solari u better open your eyes and start seeing the bright light ahead of you
RichardSondashi
0
During the reign of Zidane, it was Bale who suffered and now Isco is the one suffering under solari. This is so sad.
himaeinouy
1
its very heart breaking to see such a play maker like isco on de bench[Cry]
Buneitz
1
I know that solari is trying to set an example of isco but it is too much now u don't treat people like that,isco is rite if he says that he doesn't have the same opportunity given to the other players n we all know that cuz we watch the games n we see how he's been treated it's not fair Solari will have to do something cuz we need isco.
cewbimot
1
Solari is insane.
Parwiz-Yaqubi
1
solari started with some wins. however we knew real wasn't at their best. and these win didn't last long too we got defeated easily in later games like the game against real sociedad. however teams perfomance got a drastic improvement from the game against sevilla. we won the last 5-6 games like good old days. we draw the first leg against barca at camp nou, it was a great result in my opinion considering the 5-1 game. finally it looks like solari has now created a madrid that he really wanted to. we are scoring many goals in last matches too. so personally I support solari so far. his decisions like guaranteeing no starters and only in form players will be given chance has also brought success to madrid. however he had given and still giving several chances to bale and Marcelo despite their poor form. similarly he has to give chance to isco also. the game recently isco played as starter in copa, he played as a false nine,a role he is not good at and was criticised for poor performance. He should be given more time at positions he used to play. He surely will be back to his best. Just look at the quality of pass isco gave to odriozola leading to Mariano header. It was quite superb. That is the isco we madridistas have seen for a long time. Give him more chances he will surely prove his worth.
Agreed with u Isco definitely deserve more time Ppl forget quickly how good Isco was under Zidane He is a magician some predicted he wud be new version of Iniesta for Spanish national team I hope we won’t lose him cause Solaris ego
cris7iano123
3
Isco Go To Juve And Pair With Ronaldo He Can Improve Very Much And He Will definitely Starts To Score Goals And Give Assists He Will Never Have To Sit On Bench too...
Ashrafcr7
1
Solaris is doing the right thing.... he is the coach and he has to find out what has gone wrong with the team.... and his decision has proved us with the results
QybUrNNn
3
solari started with some wins. however we knew real wasn't at their best. and these win didn't last long too we got defeated easily in later games like the game against real sociedad. however teams perfomance got a drastic improvement from the game against sevilla. we won the last 5-6 games like good old days. we draw the first leg against barca at camp nou, it was a great result in my opinion considering the 5-1 game. finally it looks like solari has now created a madrid that he really wanted to. we are scoring many goals in last matches too. so personally I support solari so far. his decisions like guaranteeing no starters and only in form players will be given chance has also brought success to madrid. however he had given and still giving several chances to bale and Marcelo despite their poor form. similarly he has to give chance to isco also. the game recently isco played as starter in copa, he played as a false nine,a role he is not good at and was criticised for poor performance. He should be given more time at positions he used to play. He surely will be back to his best. Just look at the quality of pass isco gave to odriozola leading to Mariano header. It was quite superb. That is the isco we madridistas have seen for a long time. Give him more chances he will surely prove his worth.
Naneoprt
1
Solari is not a professional coach.. He doesn't know anything about it that who's good who's bad he's doing purposely against isco
yewbckryz
1
A playmaker who doesnnt give assists, doesn't shot, cross and fast is not a good playmaker, if we need a playmaker at least we recuperate James rodriguez
hater
Morhh
0
Solari is just nuts, I hope he gets sacked at the end of the season
Dude are you okay?!!
Pedabckuy
2
Solari what are you doing give him a chance to prove him selves because he is a good player and u can't bench him like this
Radklrt
3
what's wrong with Solari...YOU CANNOT BENCH A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER WHO ALWAYS PLAYED IN THE STARTING LINE UP!!!! personal stuff must never interfere with you work priorities
A playmaker who doesnnt give assists, doesn't shot, cross and fast is not a good playmaker, if we need a playmaker at least we recuperate James rodriguez
Tiadinp
2
what's wrong with Solari...YOU CANNOT BENCH A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER WHO ALWAYS PLAYED IN THE STARTING LINE UP!!!! personal stuff must never interfere with you work priorities
Sibcilmp
0
solari is a Mabel head
rohbcloprs
1
Solari is just nuts, I hope he gets sacked at the end of the season