Real Madrid midfielder Isco has reflected on his delight at being called up to the Spain squad for next week’s game with Ecuador.
Boss Vicente del Bosque rang the changes for the friendly in Guayaquil, with Cristian Tello, Inigo Martinez, Thiago Alcantara and Koke also promoted from the Under-21 side, and Isco says he is hoping to create a favourable impression.
“I’m delighted to be in the squad and hopefully I’ll be able to play in Ecuador. The older players have already wished me luck,” the 21-year-old told reporters before Madrid’s final training session on their tour of the United States.
Isco admitted he was expecting the call-up, although it had slipped his mind Del Bosque was due to announce his squad on Friday.
“I woke up and looked at my phone and I had messages from my family. That’s how I learned the squad had been announced. It was a great way to start the day, although I had forgotten about it.”
Although Isco has previously been selected for the full squad, he accepts he has still not come to terms with how rapidly his career has advanced since his move from Malaga in the summer.
“It’s all gone very fast and the good thing is that things are going very well. Hopefully it will remain like this.
“It all comes around pretty quickly but I’m happy with what has happened so far,” declared Isco, who did not forget the great season he had with Malaga last term.
“I had a good year at Malaga and here in Madrid I hope I can have an even greater impact. In any case, I’m going to give my all.”
He also maintains there are certain similarities between former boss Manuel Pellegrini and Madrid tactician Carlo Ancelotti, who both allow him a lot of freedom on the pitch.
“Our Coach is much like Pellegrini in that he gives me freedom, so I’ve managed to adapt very quickly. At Malaga we didn’t work so much on the defensive side of things, but I’ll adapt to whatever the team wants from me.
“He [Ancelotti] asks us to get on the ball, to be free and creative, and I think we’ll see a very good Real Madrid side next season.”
