Why former Real Madrid Isco named his dog Messi

"I named my dog 'Messi' because Messi is the best in the world, and so is my dog," Isco told the media back in 2013, via Goal.

Back then, the Spaniard played his final matches with Malaga before signing for Real Madrid in the summer.

Interestingly, Isco and his girlfriend also have a dog called Figo – probably named after former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo.

When Isco played for Valencia in the early 2010s, he proclaimed himself an anti-Madridista. Moreover, Barcelona reportedly considered signing him when he was already part of Real Madrid.

It seems like the Whites had Barca's secret agent in their ranks all this time!