Saturday 7 March 2015 17:33, UK
Few things make fans angrier than when their side's star man, at the peak of his powers, leaves for pastures new.
And at Real Madrid, the 10-time European champions rarely allow such talent to depart.
But last summer, after being named man of the match as Los Blancos sealed La Decima, Angel di Maria was sold to Manchester United for a British-record fee.
The dumbfounded Madrid supporters called for president Florentino Perez to resign in the aftermath, but a matter of months later, all was forgiven.
In the notoriously fickle world of football, the Bernabeu has a new star, and the object of fans' affections seems set for superstardom on a global scale.
Isco is yet to turn 23, but after being handed his chance to shine by Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti in October after injuries to Luka Modric and James Rodriguez, the attacking midfielder has excelled as other stars have struggled for form.
"Isco will be the most important player in Spanish football in the coming years,” Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas enthused after the former Malaga man starred in his side's 2-0 win at Elche two weeks ago.
The veteran goalkeeper's opinion should hold more gravitas than most. Part of what many people regard as the greatest national team of all time, praise from Casillas is high indeed.
At Elche, Isco ran the show from the left of midfield, and revelled in the added licence to roam Ancelotti has bestowed on his young shoulders.
He impressed so much that when he was replaced late in the game, he left the field to a standing ovation - from both sets of supporters.
The diminutive midfielder was again substituted last weekend against Villarreal, but the reaction from the terraces was entirely different as boos rang around the Bernabeu as fans voiced their disapproval - further evidence the Spanish capital has its new darling.
'Ill-feeling'
Di Maria won the hearts and minds of fans worldwide with his all-action displays, foraying down either flank or through the middle - he was simply unstoppable.
In 34 league games last season, Fideo - or the 'Noodle' in English - provided an impressive 17 assists as Los Blancos narrowly missed out on another La Liga title.
What is more astonishing is the amount of completed dribbles in those games, with the Argentine accomplishing 110 throughout the campaign.
The 27-year-old's myriad abilities were on show for the world to see as he ran Atletico ragged in the Champions League final last May.
That performance added to the ill-feeling around the capital as Di Maria left for Manchester, but Isco's impressive stats have certainly lifted the mood.
Isco features among the upper echelons in many rankings of attacking statistics. From a deeper position than the four players above him in the list, he has eight assists already to his name, and has created 35 chances in just 17 games.
What satisfies the notoriously difficult-to-please Bernabeu regulars most is how Di Maria's slaloming runs have been replicated by the multi-faceted Spaniard.
Isco has completed 61 dribbles so far - a stat bettered only by Neymar and Lionel Messi. And remember, this is in only 17 games.
Gareth Bale is nowhere in sight on these lists, with only five assists to his name from 22 appearances, but with Isco around to contribute, the Welshman will get more time to prove his worth.
After being acrimoniously dumped out of last year's World Cup, the Spanish national team requires an injection of youthful exuberance, with ageing stars like Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso in need of heirs to their illustrious thrones.
Even Andreas Iniesta is on the wane. Now 30 years old, Iniesta is yet to make an assist this season, and a regular in the La Roja squad already, Isco is ready to step up as the accolades continue to role in.
"Technically, Isco is a lot like me," says Zinedine Zidane. "The fans love him, this is a special moment for him and he's showing that buying him was a very good idea.”
The stage is set. Isco seems to have the right temperament and speaks like the humblest of modern day footballers.
And while his predecessor looks continually out of sorts in the Premier League under another experienced manager, Isco has grasped his chance to shine with both hands.
In a squad bursting with talent, he has emerged as the leading light as Los Blancos head towards further domestic glory.
