The 23-year-old was reportedly unhappy with Rafa Benitez's reign and has privately admitted that he would be 'in the streets' if the Spaniard were still in charge
Isco has credited Zinedine Zidane with changing his life and privately admitted he would be ‘in the streets’ if Rafa Benitez had remained in charge of Real Madrid, according to El Chiringuito.
The 23-year-old reportedly suffered a turbulent relationship with Benitez, who was sacked at the start of January, and was left as an unused substitute alongside James Rodriguez in the Spaniard’s last game in charge, a 2-2 draw away to Valencia.
Goal understands that Manchester City had been in talks with Real Madrid over a potential move, before Zidane insisted that the player would not be allowed to leave the club.
And Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada claims that Isco has been thankful for Madrid's decision to replace Benitez with the World Cup winner.
“Isco told a friend of his in Malaga that the arrival of Zidane has changed his life,” Estrada told El Chiringuito.
“Isco said that Zidane opened the doors of Euro 2016 for him again, With another [Benitez] he would have been in the streets.”
- Goal