Rafael van der Vaart has hailed Real Madrid’s Isco as the ‘best in the world’ in his position.
Van der Vaart played as an attacking midfielder for Los Blancos between 2008 and 2010, scoring 12 goals in 73 appearances, and thinks Isco is now the best player in that position right now.
Why does Van der Vaart rate Isco so highly? Five key things to know…
- Rafael van der Vaart played 73 games as an attacking midfield for Real Madrid between 2008 and 2010.
- The Dutchman, who retired in 2018, rates Spaniard Isco as the best attacking midfielder in the world right now.
- Isco joined Madrid in 2013 from Malaga and has made 261 appearances since.
- The 26-year-old has scored 45 times in those appearances, helping him pick up 34 caps for Spain in the process.
- Van der Vaart has gone as far as saying he doesn’t watch Los Blancos if Isco isn’t starting.
“I think Isco is incredible, the best player in the world [in that position],” the Dutchman told Marca. “But he always has problems with the coach. Zidane never trusted him 100%.
“For me, when Madrid play, I check to see if he’s starting. If he isn’t, I go home.”
Real Madrid face another of Van der Vaart’s former clubs when they take on Ajax in the Champions League last 16 next month.
Despite the defending European Champions being firm favourites for the tie, the 35-year-old is backing Ajax to make it a very ‘complicated’ tie.
“I really want to see that match between two great teams,” he added. “Ajax are impressive, have many talents and win all their games playing fantastic football that I like to see. They go on the attack, they score a lot of goals, they have a spectacular team. It will be a very complicated match for Real Madrid, for sure.
“It is difficult to give a prediction. In the Netherlands, people think that Ajax is going to win for sure, but I want to remind you that Madrid in the Champions League is Real Madrid. It is a difficult game for Ajax. They will have chances to get through, but they should be at the top to be in the quarter-finals.”
Real Madrid take on Sevilla on Saturday in their next La Liga game.
Could Isco swap Madrid for Barca?
With Isco struggling for game time at present, could a move to Madrid’s arch-rivals come about?
Former Barcelona defender Sergi Barjuan believes that his former club would be interested in bringing the talented Spaniard to the Nou Camp, despite the intense rivalry between the two sides.
Isco has previously confirmed that the Catalan giants had tried to sign him before, so their interest in the playmaker would come as no real surprise.
“I don’t know how each coach manages their starting line-up and backups, but it’s true that coaches are there to take decisions,” three-time La Liga winner Barjuan told Radio MARCA.
“Solari took a decision. From Barcelona’s point of view, he is a player who could interest them because he plays with touch and can link up with people well.
“With this, we’re speaking a little bit in a joking manner. In the end, the season is long and Real Madrid will have a lot of matches and will need everyone.”
Ronaldo’s team will always be European favourites, says Van der Vaart
The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus over the summer has seen Real Madrid struggle for consistency this season, with Los Blancos falling 10 points behind Barcelona in the La Liga table.
Madrid also lost twice in the Champions League group stage and sacked manager Julen Lopetegui in October.
Van der Vaart believes the departure of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo means Madrid cannot be seen as favourites – the Dutchman gave that title to Juventus instead.
“Right now, everyone recognises how important he [Ronaldo] was for Real Madrid,” said Van der Vaart. “Someone who was scoring almost 60 goals per season.
“The team that has Cristiano in its ranks will always be a favourite. He makes his team-mates better. You give him the ball and you know he can score, he guarantees success.”
The post Real Madrid outcast Isco is “the best in the world” – Van der Vaart appeared first on Squawka News.
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