Alba: I don't like seeing Isco playing so well

Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba said Isco is one of the best players in the world, but he does not enjoy watching his Real Madrid rival playing at such a high level.

Isco has flourished under Zinedine Zidane, cementing himself in the starting XI at Spanish and European champion Madrid with four goals and three assists in LaLiga.

The 25-year-old has outdone four-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo this season and Alba painfully heaped praise on his Spain team-mate prior to Saturday's international friendly against Costa Rica.

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"Comparing is never good. I've known him for many years," Alba told reporters. "He is at the same level as the best in the world and I don't like to see our greatest rival in that kind of form.

"Everything that you can say about him is good. We crossed paths at Valencia and I know him very well."