A hero to supporters and now to all winged creatures
Spain star Isco was praised on Wednesday after taking time out before his country’s crucial World Cup group game with Iran to safely escort an injured bird off the pitch.
The Real Madrid midfielder put on an impressive display against Iran, despite Fernando Hierro’s side inability to play their usual free-flowing football, and helped his team secure an important 1-0 victory.
It was a non-footballing act that truly caught the eye though, as he helped a little bird off the pitch to safety.
Spanish Footballer Isco Just Escorted An Injured Bird Out Of The Playing Ground. Respect ?? #IRNESP #IRAESP #WorldCup #WorldCup2018 #FifaWorldCup18 #España pic.twitter.com/la3JAgSGdc
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) June 20, 2018
The lovely act came after teammate Gerard Pique had attempted to throw the bird away gently from the pitch, after which the winged creature simply landed a few feet away.
Enter Isco, a man known for his velvet touch and calm demeanour on the ball, who stepped over towards the bird like a man with a mission.
He got down on his knee, as if to ask the bird for permission, and then – after a bit of cajoling – picked the bird up softly in his hands, before running to the sideline and placing him away from the pitch.
The Azadi Stadium, where the game was being played, erupted into applause to celebrate the kind gesture and the internet responded in kind.
Watching Isco saving that bird last night just mad me think that Ramos would’ve torn its wings off or something #IRNSPA #WorldCup
— Tino (@haaaaawtin) June 21, 2018
My boy Isco out here saving birds. ♥️
— Guv’nor (@Guru9) June 21, 2018
YALL LMFAO NACHO AND ISCO SAW A BIRD INSIDE THE PITCH, ISCO GRABBED IT AND PUT IT AT THE SIDE WHERE ITS SAFE IM CRYING DAWG THATS MY BOO ?✨
— n ik k i (@SIGHNIKKl) June 21, 2018
So I’ve had a few comments about me liking football because of the men today.. and it’s not the reason.. but my god those scenes of Isco helping that little bird has just nearly gave me a heart attack and about made my womb fall out. ??
— Gem (@Gemnffc) June 20, 2018
Maybe those 5 little birds now think that isco is their human grandpa? pic.twitter.com/fLmCaKQloZ
— fátima (@fatimafsays) June 20, 2018