Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro claims he needed just 10 minutes to realise Isco was “a beastly talent” at 15 years of age.
Isco made a similar transition to Hierro, from humble beginnings in Malaga to the bright lights of Madrid, and the former Spain defender revealed just how he became aware of the midfielder’s potential.
“It’s hard for me to give an opinion on a lad I’ve known since he was 15 years old,” he told Goal.com
“I went to La Rioja to see him because I’d been told that at Valencia, there was a lad from Benalmadena who had this beastly talent.
“You go there and wonder where this talent might be, but yes, after 10 minutes of watching him, I left the field and had seen everything!
“Isco needs to play, feel important and feel the confidence [of his Coach]. With that and his talent, he has it all.
“Now we have to think that if we paid €32m for a young lad from Malaga a few years ago, how much would he be worth today?”
Hierro then backed Gareth Bale to overcome his injury problems for Madrid, comparing him to “an F1 engine, which always needs tuning.”
“He’s like an F1 engine, which always needs tuning. We should all be talking about a great player, with great potential,” added the former Real Oviedo boss.
“He has to realise how far he can go with his qualities. It’s true that he’s been at Real Madrid for a few years and had several injuries.
“However, with his physical and technical qualities, he will deliver [top] performances one day.”
