Real Betis’ Isco Suffers Fractured Tibia As Club Targets Real Madrid Star As Replacement

‎For the second consecutive year, Real Betis will begin a La Liga campaign without their star man Isco Alarcon, as a serious injury again sidelines the former Real Madrid midfielder at the start of the season.

‎In May 2024, Isco broke his leg in a match with Las Palmas, jeopardizing his hopes of playing for Spain at Euro 2024. The injury was severe, requiring two surgeries to resolve complications, and he didn’t return to action until January 2025.

‎How long will he be out for? 

‎Despite the extended lay-off, Isco returned to top form in the latter part of last season, but he has just received a fresh injury setback. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 33-year-old is expected to miss about three months after Betis’ 3-1 defeat to Malaga in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday.

‎Real Betis have confirmed that Isco has suffered “a new fracture without displacement in the middle third of his left fibula”.

‎And while the injury is in the same area as the one that was affected in 2024, the club has stressed that it is not a recurrence, but rather “a new traumatic injury that is unrelated to the previous process”.

‎He will not undergo surgery, but rather, conservative treatment will be used instead.

‎It is dreadful news for Betis as the new La Liga season approaches, with their talisman sidelined for the foreseeable future. While Giovani Lo Celso can fill in, it increases the urgency to bring in a new right winger.

‎That position is where the Argentine would have started the 2025-26 campaign.

‎A possible replacement has been identified

‎Real Madrid’s position diverges from that of their head coach, with a report claiming a deal could be reached if Betis pays €15-20m.

‎That price is their asking figure, and meeting it could enable Los Blancos to target an immediate replacement, something they cannot do in advance since their first-team squad is full.

‎Ceballos would be a top signing for Betis, and they can afford to get it done given that they sold Johnny Cardoso to Atletico Madrid for €30m earlier in the summer.

‎However, the funds would be taken away from a possible deal for Antony, whom they want to re-sign from Manchester United.