Adelaide United captain Isaias speaks for first time since agreeing to leave the club after six years
Adelaide United captain Isaias has spoken for the first time since agreeing to end his glittering six-year stint with the club. The fan-favourite reveals his destination, the reasons behind his exit and his most memorable moments with the Reds.
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A red card on debut normally signals a troubled start to a player’s relationship with his new club’s supporters.
In Isaias’ case, receiving his marching orders in Adelaide United’s round-one win over Perth on October 13, 2013, began a mutual love affair which would endure beyond his departure.
“I just think they like the passion that I bring on the pitch,” said Isaias, who this week brought the curtain down on his glittering six-year Reds career.
“I showed from the first minute I put my feet on the ground here that I always gave my 150 per cent in every single game and every single training, and I always fought for Adelaide.
“All this time I have been playing here and living in Adelaide, I felt really loved from everyone and I’m really thankful that everyone was on my side.
“I’m really proud of all the years we had here and I can only think about the positive memories and the successful moments we had together.”
United on Monday announced the end of Isaias’ 181-game Reds stint, following four major trophies and as many club champion awards.
The inspirational captain confirmed to The Advertiser his destination would be Qatar, but would not reveal the club he was joining until an official announcement in the coming days.
“It was a really, really difficult decision to make,” Isaias, 32, said.
“It was really emotional to bring the news to all the Adelaide fans and to the club, because I know they appreciate the footballer I am and they really welcomed me from the first day.
“But with my family, we decided it was the right moment.
“Because of my age, I’m not sure how many years I have left in my career so it’s a good point to start a new chapter and to have a new challenge before I finish playing.
“We have a young family and we want to learn a new culture and experience one more adventure.”
Isaias travelled to Qatar last week to complete a medical with his new club after his consistently outstanding displays proved too much for the wealthy Gulf outfit to ignore.
But the midfield dynamo was a virtual unknown when he arrived at Adelaide alongside fellow Spaniard Sergio Cirio as former coach Josep Gombau’s first signings.
It proved to a shrewd piece of business, as he won the Reds’ player-of-the-year in his inaugural campaign Down Under.
“When I arrived here it was a difficult moment,” said the father of two, who became an Australian citizen in January.
“At first I couldn’t speak English and everything was different.
“I couldn’t even imagine I would stay here six years here, have my two kids here, become an Australian citizen and be (United) captain.
“I know how lucky I am to live in this city and this country.”
The ex-Espanyol talent, who made four La Liga appearances in 2011, took his game to new heights with Reds.
He had played 14,096 minutes – more than any other A-League player – since arriving in the country, while leading the way in passes (9444), interceptions (386) and duels won (1032).
But his influence went way beyond statistics.
Isaias lifted his maiden silverware as United skipper this past season, when he led the team to his and the club’s second FFA Cup.
He was also Adelaide’s inspiration in turning an eight-match winless start to the 2015/16 campaign into a premiership and first championship.
“I have lots of beautiful memories,” said Isaias, who scored a sublime free kick and won the Joe Marston Medal in the grand final triumph over Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval.
“All of the trophies we have won together, all of them were special for one reason or another.
“But I would say the grand final (was his favourite) because we were at home, because I scored a goal and because it probably was the most important trophy.”
Isaias would join a growing Spanish contingent in Qatari football.
Manager Felix Sanchez Bas led the country to Asian Cup success earlier this year and Barcelona legend Xavi retired this month after four seasons with leading club Al Sadd.
“It’s going to be an interesting challenge,” said the combative Catalan, who revealed he had rejected several previous offers from overseas sides during his time with the Reds.
“It (Qatar) looks like Australia a few years ago when they were trying to improve and develop their football.
“They are hosting the World Cup in three years, they are building new stadiums and football there is growing a lot.
“They (his new club) wants to build a new team and a new structure with me as a leader in the midfield.
“As everyone knows, I am a really competitive player and I will be there to try to win everything.”
A penalty miss in this month’s heartbreaking semi-final shootout loss, ironically also to Perth, would be Isaias’ last kick in a United shirt.
His agent informed him of interest from west Asia about two months ago, but he said no deal was struck until after the A-League season was completed.
Isaias, who had one year remaining on his Reds contract, said breaking news of his exit to teammates last week was tough.
“They know that I love them.
“It was a real pleasure to play with them and I will miss all of them of course.
“The club were really nice to me.
“They understood my situation, they understood how good the opportunity was for me and for my family.
“They have left the doors open of the club for whenever I want to come back.
“I will always be welcome as a player or even after football.”
Isaias and his family would leave for a one-month holiday in his homeland at the end of this week, before arriving in Qatar for the start of pre-season training in July.
He said he would miss “almost everything” about living in Adelaide, including the simple pleasure of afternoons spent with his kids at local playgrounds.
But he predicted a bright future for the Reds, as they prepared for a new era under Dutch coach Gertjan Verbeek.
“This is part of football,” said Isaias, of his and manager Marco Kurz’s off-season exits.
“Players come and go, coaches come and go and this is normal.
“The most important thing is the club is building a very good, consistent structure.
“They are doing the right things, they are going in the right direction and I hope in the next seasons they will have success again.”
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