Luis Enrique: Isco's quality is undeniable Real Madrid Defended the under-fire midfielder

Isco has had a tough start to the 2018/19 season, having had to go for appendix surgery and having fallen out of favour at Real Madrid since the arrival of Santiago Solari, but his national team coach has defended him.

Luis Enrique has praised the midfielder and discussed how important he is for La Roja.

"I like him a lot and he was at a really high level at the World Cup," Luis Enrique said when asked about Isco at the Premios Quini awards night in Gijon.

"His quality is undeniable.

"His form and minutes will determine his chances [of being called up to the next squad], but I have already called him up many times so you can look at my actions more than my words.

"Right now it is December and there are three months until the next squad list."

Luis Enrique wore a shirt with legendary Sporting Gijon player Quini's name on it, a tribute to the former Spain international who passed away in February of 2018.