Name: Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez (commonly known as Isco)
Introduction: Isco is a Spanish professional footballer renowned for his exceptional technical ability, exquisite ball control, dribbling skills, and creative playmaking from midfield. He rose to prominence as a “magician” on the field, capable of unlocking defenses with his flair and vision, and was a key figure in Real Madrid’s dominant era.
Date of birth: April 21, 1992
Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.76 m)
Place of birth: Benalmádena, Spain
Family:
- Parents’ names: Not widely publicized.
- Siblings: Information not widely publicized.
- Spouse: Sara Sálamo (partner since 2017/2018). She is a Spanish actress. They are not publicly stated as married, but she is referred to as his wife in some sources and they have children together.
- Children:
- Francisco Alarcón Calderón (son, born 2014, with former partner Victoria Calderon)
- Theo Alarcón Sálamo (son, born 2019, with Sara Sálamo)
- Piero Alarcón Sálamo (son, born 2020, with Sara Sálamo)
- Relatives: His children and partner.
Profession: Professional footballer (attacking midfielder, winger).
Nationality: Spanish
Religion: Information not consistently available.
College or university attended: He joined Valencia’s youth system at a young age and did not attend a traditional university, focusing on his football career.
Biography and What Famous For:
Isco began his football career in the youth system of Valencia, making his senior debut for the club’s reserve team in 2009. He later joined Málaga in 2011, where his performances truly made him stand out. His dazzling displays of skill and creativity earned him the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2012, recognizing him as the best young player in Europe.
His exceptional talent led to a high-profile move to Real Madrid in June 2013 for a reported €65 million. At Real Madrid, Isco was a crucial, albeit sometimes rotational, player during a period of immense success for the club.
Isco is most famous for:
- His mesmerizing technical ability: He is renowned for his close ball control, exquisite dribbling, and ability to weave through tight spaces, often referred to as “magic” on the ball.
- Playmaking and vision: His capacity to create chances, deliver incisive passes, and dictate the tempo of the game from midfield.
- Success with Real Madrid: He won numerous major trophies with Real Madrid, including:
- Four UEFA Champions League titles (2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, and was part of the squad for the 2021-22 win). He was particularly influential in the middle of Real Madrid’s three consecutive Champions League wins under Zinedine Zidane.
- Three La Liga titles (2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22).
- One Copa del Rey and four FIFA Club World Cups.
- His “Man of the Match” performances: Especially during his peak at Real Madrid and recently with Real Betis, where he has often been the standout performer. In the 2023-24 season, he received the most “Man of the Match” awards in La Liga (19 occasions).
- Performances with the Spain National Team: He made his senior international debut in 2013 and scored his first hat-trick for Spain in a dominant 6–1 friendly win against Argentina in 2018. He participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was recently recalled to the Spain squad in May 2025 for the UEFA Nations League Finals.
- His resurgence at Real Betis: After a difficult spell with Sevilla, Isco joined Real Betis in 2023 and has had a remarkable comeback, becoming their captain and a fan favorite, leading them to their first-ever European final (UEFA Europa Conference League final) in 2025.
Isco’s career has been characterized by brilliant moments of individual skill and collective triumph, establishing him as one of Spain’s most gifted attacking midfielders.
Have participated (Selected Career Highlights):
Clubs:
- Valencia (youth and reserve teams, 2009–2011)
- Málaga CF (2011–2013)
- Real Madrid (2013–2022)
- Sevilla FC (2022)
- Real Betis (2023–present)
Major Club Honours (Selected):
- UEFA Champions League: 4 (2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18) with Real Madrid (also part of the squad for 2021-22 win)
- La Liga: 3 (2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22) with Real Madrid
- Copa del Rey: 1 (2013–14) with Real Madrid
- FIFA Club World Cup: 4 (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) with Real Madrid
- UEFA Super Cup: 3 (2014, 2016, 2017) with Real Madrid
International Honours (Spain):
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1 (2013)
- UEFA Nations League: (Recalled to squad for 2025 finals)
Individual Awards (Selected):
- Golden Boy award: 2012
- La Liga Player of the Month: April 2017, April 2024
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Bronze Boot: 2013
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2013
- La Liga Player with most Man of the Match awards in a season: 2023-24 (19 occasions)
