“I don’t regret anything, I always wanted to succeed here”

Isco confirmed the signing of his hotly-anticipated contract renewal at Real Madrid on Thursday. The midfielder, who at one point considered leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, is now a key component in Zidane and the club’s plans.

“I am proud to continue representing the best team in the world. 11 titles in four seasons is one step, we have won them and continue to be ambitious,” said Isco.

Isco added: “I have grown as a footballer, I have matured and I have more goals.”

The Spanish midfielder admitted that Zidane was “very important” in all of this and he helped him to “have the patience to know how to wait” but he was clear that his idea was always “to succeed in Madrid”.

It wasn’t a difficult decision for Isco to stay in the Spanish capital because “the best players are always at Madrid.” Despite the tough competition, Isco affirmed that he knew for months that his future would be at Los Blancos. “I was able to renew my contract last year, but I wanted to concentrate on the league and Champions League and postpone it until this season.”

The ability to know to wait for the right moment is a vital part of Isco’s maturity, something which he showed his pride for: “I am proud of the patience I have had, never easing up and I have always worked my hardest.”

During his four years at the Spanish champions, a number of things have stuck out for the Madrid’s No 22: “La Décima, the most sought-after Champions League for the madridistas,” as well as the work Zidane has done for him: “He has given me a lot of confidence in difficult moments. He knows me well and knows how to get the best out of me.”

Finally, Isco hailed Madrid as “the biggest club in history” and did not rule out finishing his career at the Bernabeu, “You never know, the journey is complicated. What I do know is that I intend to be at Madrid for many years and renew my contract many more times.”