Former Real Madrid star Isco, who has been a free agent for more than seven months, has now dropped a bombshell, alleging that he was assaulted by one of his ex-LALIGA clubs' chiefs before making his exit.
The 31-year-old's career has taken a nosedive in recent times, having been discarded by Real as a free agent after losing prominence during Carlo Ancelotti's second stint in charge of Los Blancos.
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In August 2022, he joined Sevilla as a free agent but things there would deteriorate quickly, with his contract being terminated by mutual consent just four months later.
There were few details around his departure from the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium at the time, with then-manager Jorge Sampaoli suggesting there were sporting reasons for his exit after he scored just one goal in 19 games.
"Isco is a great guy and I wish him all the best," the Argentine boss said in December, according to SuperSport. "A player who has great ability is leaving, but he did not meet the club's expectations."
However, the 38-cap Spain international has now dropped a bombshell regarding his abrupt exit from the club, alleging that he was physically attacked by then-Sevilla sporting director Monchi, who since left to take up a similar post at Aston Villa in England.
"I told him he was the biggest liar I'd ever met in the world of football and he assaulted me," Isco told Marca.
"He came for me, he grabbed me by the neck and people had to separate us.
"As you can understand, after this, I didn't want to stay there under any circumstances."
Isco claimed further that the conflict stemmed from Sevilla's financial problems and that Monchi kept "calling me every day to urge me to rescind my contract".
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Asked what he is seeking in a new team, the free agent added: "A project in which I can have continuity, a team that wants to play football with a clear style, fun... I'm at a point in my career where, after winning everything, what I want now is to enjoy. Of course, at a competitive level and if there are more titles to come, then even better.
"I'm young and I still have many years of football at a good level. Now it's up to me to prove it.
"A team with a competitive project and that tries to play good football. I will never give priority to money; if so, I would not have gone to Sevilla.
"I have and had many offers from Qatar and Arabia, with large salaries, but I want to play, compete and have fun."
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