Spanish midfielder Isco has been named in Real Betis's squad for Thursday's Europa League (a pan-European club football competition) quarter-final second leg against Braga (a Portuguese club), marking his return after more than four months out with a serious ankle cartilage injury. The 33-year-old, who is captain and talisman at the Seville-based club, suffered the setback in November when he collided accidentally with teammate Amrabat during a Europa League match against Utrecht — his third significant injury since joining Betis in 2023, requiring a third operation in two years. Manager Manuel Pellegrini said Isco's return time on the pitch would depend on how the match unfolds, but teammates and club officials described his comeback as a major emotional and sporting boost as Betis seek to overturn a 1–1 first-leg draw and reach their first-ever Europa League semi-final.