Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez, known as Isco, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Real Betis. He joined Betis in July 2023 and captained the club in the 2025 UEFA Conference League final. On 11 October 2026 he scored twice in a 5-2 win over Osasuna that lifted Betis to third place in LaLiga.
Isco started his career at Valencia, where he played for the reserve team. In 2011 he joined Málaga, and he won the Golden Boy award in 2012. Real Madrid signed him in June 2013 for a reported fee of 30 million euros. At Real Madrid he won five UEFA Champions League titles. He later had a short spell at Sevilla before moving to Betis.
Isco has represented Spain at youth level, including the 2012 Olympics. He made his senior international debut in 2013 and returned to the Spain squad in May 2025 after six years away.
EARLY LIFE
Isco was born on 21st April 1992 in Benalmádena, in the province of Málaga, Spain, to Paco Alarcón and Jenny Suárez. His father used to work as a hotel worker and later became involved in managing his son’s career.
Isco was born with bow legs and was overweight as a child. He worked hard to get fit before joining his first youth club. His motivation to become a footballer came partly from his elder brother, who lost his own chance of a football career after an injury.
PERSONAL LIFE
Isco has been in a relationship with Spanish actress Sara Sálamo since 2017. The couple announced their engagement in November 2023 and married in a private ceremony in 2024. They have two sons, Theo, born in July 2019, and Piero, born in December 2020. Isco also has an older son, Francisco, from his earlier relationship with Victoria Calderón.
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
Isco came through the youth system at Valencia. He spent the 2009-10 season with the club’s reserve team in Segunda División B, scoring one goal in 26 appearances. He made his first-team debut against UD Logroñés in a Copa del Rey match and scored twice in a 4-1 home win. He made three league appearances and two UEFA Champions League appearances for Valencia. In July 2011 he signed a five-year contract with Málaga for a reported 6 million euros. He scored five goals in 32 appearances in his first season, and Málaga qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time. He also played in Málaga’s 3-2 league win over Real Madrid on 22 December 2012. In December 2012 he won the Golden Boy award ahead of Stephan El Shaarawy and Thibaut Courtois.
In June 2013 Isco signed for Real Madrid for a reported 30 million euros. His league debut came against Real Betis in a 2-1 win. In his first season he scored 11 goals in 53 official games. He came on as a substitute in the 2014 Champions League final, which Real Madrid won 4-1 against Atlético Madrid after extra time.
In the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final, he scored the last goal in a 4-0 win. He was named man of the match in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup against Manchester United. In September 2017 he signed a new deal with Real Madrid until June 2022. He made eleven appearances in the 2017-18 Champions League, when Madrid won their third title in a row. He was also part of the squad that won the 2021-22 LaLiga and Champions League double. He left Real Madrid when his contract ended in 2022.
Isco joined Sevilla in 2022, but he left the club in December 2022. In July 2023 he signed for Real Betis as a free agent. In December 2023 Betis extended his contract until June 2027.
For Spain, he played at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where Spain finished third, and at the 2011 U-20 World Cup in Colombia. He won the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. His first goal for the senior team came on 15th November 2014 against Belarus in Huelva, in a 3-0 win in qualifying for UEFA Euro 2016. He scored his first hat-trick for Spain on 27th March 2018 in a 6-1 friendly win over Argentina. In May 2018 he was named in Spain’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
ISCO AT REAL BETIS (2023-2026)
Isco missed the start of the 2024-25 season with a fibula fracture. He made his first appearance of that season in early December 2024, when Betis were 11th in LaLiga. By March 2025 Betis had climbed to sixth. In that run, he scored a penalty in a 2-1 home win over Real Madrid.
On 26 May 2025, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente recalled him for the UEFA Nations League finals. It was his first Spain call-up since 2019. Before the recall he had 38 caps for Spain.
Two days later, on 28 May 2025, Isco captained Betis in the UEFA Conference League final in Wrocław, Poland. Betis led at half-time but lost 4-1 to Chelsea.
In August 2025 Isco broke his left fibula in a pre-season friendly against Málaga. Betis said it was a new injury and not linked to his earlier fracture. He returned later in the year, but a collision in a Europa League match against Utrecht forced him off after nine minutes. In late December 2025 he needed another operation on his leg.
Isco came back on 21 April 2026 after about five months out. He came on in the 76th minute of a 3-2 win at Girona.
In the 2026-27 season he has been a regular for Betis. On 11 October 2026 he scored twice, including a penalty, in a 5-2 win over Osasuna at La Cartuja in Seville. The win put Betis third in LaLiga, one point above Real Madrid.
| Clubs | Season |
| Valencia | 2009-11 |
| Malaga | 2011-13 |
| Real Madrid | 2013-22 |
| Sevilla | 2022 |
| Real Betis | 2023-present |
HONORS
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22
- Copa del Rey: 2013–14
- Supercopa de España: 2017, 2019–20, 2021–22
- UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22
- UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
Valencia Mestalla
- Tercera División Group VI: 2010–11
Real Betis
- UEFA Conference League: runner-up, 2024–25
INTERNATIONAL HONORS
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2013
- FIFA U-17 World Cup: Third Place, 2009
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Golden Boy Award: 2012
- La Liga Breakthrough Player: 2012
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Bronze Boot: 2013
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2013
- Trofeo Bravo: 2013
- UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2016–17
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 2nd team: 2017
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 3rd team: 2018
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 5th team: 2013
PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS
Height: about 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in), as listed in player databases
Eye color: Dark Brown
Hair color: Black
Isco PERSONAL DETAILS
Full Name: Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez
Date of Birth: 21st April 1992
Place of Birth: Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
Playing Position: Attacking Midfielder
Current Club: Real Betis (since July 2023)
Spouse: Sara Sálamo (married 2024)
Children: Theo and Piero (with Sara Sálamo); Francisco (from his earlier relationship with Victoria Calderón)
NET WORTH
There is no reliable public figure for Isco’s net worth. His earnings come from his football contracts at Real Madrid, Sevilla and Real Betis, plus sponsorships. His Betis contract runs until June 2027, but its salary has not been officially published.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: iscoalarcon
Twitter: @isco_alarcon
Instagram: @iscoalarcon
Frequently asked questions
Which club does Isco play for now?
Isco plays for Real Betis in LaLiga. He joined the club in July 2023 as a free agent.
What is Isco's full name?
His full name is Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez. He is widely known as Isco.
How old is Isco?
Isco was born on 21 April 1992 in Benalmádena, in the province of Málaga, Spain.
What is Isco's height?
Player databases list Isco at about 1.76 m, which is roughly 5 ft 9 in.
What is Isco's net worth?
There is no reliable public figure for his net worth. His income comes from his football contracts and sponsorships, and his Betis contract runs until June 2027.
How many Champions League titles has Isco won?
Isco won five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid: 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2021-22.
What injuries has Isco had at Real Betis?
He missed the start of 2024-25 with a fibula fracture, then broke his left fibula again in a pre-season friendly in August 2025. He needed another operation in December 2025 and returned in April 2026.
How did Isco do in the 2025 Conference League final?
Isco captained Real Betis in the final in Wrocław on 28 May 2025. Betis led at half-time but lost 4-1 to Chelsea.
Has Isco returned to the Spain national team?
Yes. Luis de la Fuente recalled him in May 2025 for the UEFA Nations League finals, his first Spain call-up since 2019.
Who is Isco's wife?
Isco is married to Spanish actress Sara Sálamo. They married in 2024 and have two sons, Theo and Piero.
