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.
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/1009515041878503424
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.
https://twitter.com/haaaaawtin/status/1009728403832999936
https://twitter.com/Guru9/status/1009717433412849664
https://twitter.com/SIGHNIKKl/status/1009696129259147264
https://twitter.com/Gemnffc/status/1009511455518011392
https://twitter.com/fatimafsays/status/1009510143007092736
