Real Betis have enjoyed a successful 2024/25 season under Manuel Pellegrini, reaching the Conference League final, and securing a top-six finish in LaLiga. That’s largely thanks to a stunning revival in the second half of the campaign following a sluggish start. We’re going to take a look at the Real Betis players who have been pivotal to that transformation.
We’ve ranked the best Real Betis players by their average scores on Sorare’s scoring matrix (out of 100). This takes into account both defensive and attacking actions, with virtually everything a player does on the pitch having some impact on their score, from goals and assists, to complete passes, interceptions and duels won.
To feature below, players in the Real Betis squad must have played some part in at least 50% of their eligible games within the relevant timeframe. That includes league, Conference League and in some cases international appearances.
Real Betis best players 2024/25 – Ranked by their Sorare average scores (Last 15 matches)
5. Ricardo Rodriguez – 53.1
Betis are a team that scores plenty, but does leave gaps at the back, so it’s no surprise that most of their best-performing players are at the top end of the pitch.
Their highest-scoring defender over the past few months has been Ricardo Rodriguez. The experienced left-back joined the club in the summer of 2024 and he has been a reliable option in the position, rotating in and out of the team during a busy period, along with Romain Perraud.
Having won more than 100 caps for Switzerland, the 32-year-old’s wealth of experience of playing in major club and international competitions has certainly helped Betis make the leap into being genuine contenders on the European stage for the first time, admittedly in the Conference, rather than Europa or Champions League.
4. Giovani Lo Celso – 56.0
In the first half of the 2024/25 season, Los Verdiblancos struggled badly and there were genuine fears that Manuel Pellegrini’s reign was winding down towards a disappointing end.
Just about the only bright light during that period was Giovani Lo Celso. The Argentine rejoined Betis last summer, five years on from his first spell at the club when he was a real fan favourite. He made a flying start to his latest stint at the Benito Villamarin with five goals in his opening five games.
However, since the return from injury of Isco, Lo Celso has had to settle for considerably less game-time and has often been used in a wide role where he is less convincing. He has still chipped in with a few important contributions though, including a brilliant solo goal in the 2-1 win at Espanyol at the beginning of May.
3. Cucho Hernandez – 57.3
One of two major Real Betis new signings in January, Cucho Hernandez arrived having made a big impact in the United States, but with still plenty to prove on the European stage. He was the most expensive addition made by any Spanish club in the winter window, with his transfer from Columbus Crew costing a reported €13m.
While has been ineligible to play in the Conference League, the Colombian forward has been a regular in LaLiga, and he has been one key part in a revitalised Betis attack in the second half of the season, with Pellegrini’s men catapulting themselves from mid-table into serious Champions League contention.
They were ultimately edged out by Villarreal in that particular race, but Hernandez has impressed, with five goals in 14 appearances so far in LaLiga.
2. Antony – 63.5
One of the signings of the season in Spain has unquestionably been Antony. The 25-year-old left his Manchester United nightmare behind to join Betis on loan in January, and he has exceeded all expectations by making a huge impact at the Benito Villamarin.
With the Brazilian looking like he is enjoying his football once again, Antony has scored some brilliant goals that have helped Betis climb the table and see off Fiorentina among others on their way to their first European final.
The winger has been comfortably one of the best players in LaLiga during the second half of the season, and unfortunately from a Betis point of view, that has inflated his value to such an extent that the club now stands little chance of being able to afford a summer move for the player.
1. Isco – 66.6
While Antony has rightly made headlines abroad, the man that makes everything tick for Real Betis is still Isco.
Much like the Brazilian, his redemption story has also been a spectacular one since his move to the green and white half of Seville in 2023. After a number of disappointing years towards the end of his Real Madrid career, Isco’s time at the very top looked over when he also departed Sevilla by mutual agreement in 2022.
The experienced playmaker was without a club for more than six months, before joining Betis where he has really rediscovered his appetite for football.
Settling into the number 10 role in a Pellegrini team has been the perfect solution for Isco and he has been absolutely outstanding over the course of two seasons at Betis, despite suffering a serious injury last year which ruled him out of a Spain return at Euro 2024, as well as the first half of the 2024/25 season.
Top 10 Real Betis players – Last 40 matches
Despite Antony’s brilliance since joining on loan, it’s hard to argue with Isco being the best Real Betis player in the 2024/25 season. The duo have combined brilliantly at times, and it’s a shame that we’re unlikely to see much more of those two on the same team.
Diego Llorente also ranks as one of the top five Betis players when we zoom out to the past 40 games. The centre-back has been one of the most assured performers in defence for Betis since completing a transfer from Leeds last summer.
Midfielder Joao Cardoso has been one of the best young Real Betis players this season, with the US-born 23-year-old shining in the centre of the park, while Pablo Fornals is another technical player who has largely impressed since moving to the Benito Villamarin, although he’s had to adapt his role in the team following the signing of Antony.
