Giovani Lo Celso Reaches 100 Appearances with Real Betis Amidst Challenges

Giovani Lo Celso has reached a significant milestone with Real Betis, playing his 100th match for the club during their recent visit to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The talented Argentine midfielder participated in 45 official matches during his first spell at the club in the 2018-19 season, and since returning in the summer of 2024, he has added another 55 appearances, including 34 last season and 21 in the ongoing 2025-26 campaign.

This achievement has garnered recognition from the club, which congratulated him through social media. However, this milestone comes at a challenging time for the Argentine international. Last season, he became a key player for coach Manuel Pellegrini during Isco’s injury absence, but this year he has struggled to perform at his best due to physical issues that have hindered his consistency. He hopes to turn this situation around in early 2026, using his performance against Real Madrid as a catalyst.

Although he was not a starter in the match at Chamartín, Lo Celso contributed significantly in the second half by injecting dynamism into the team and nearly scoring from a free kick that hit the woodwork. Pellegrini praised his performance, stating, “I saw Gio very well; he entered the game strong, providing us with great offensive dynamics. He had a shot that hit the post and delivered several excellent goal-scoring opportunities. He had been training well, and the team was also on a good run. I’m very pleased with his 45 minutes on the pitch.”

With Isco sidelined for an extended period after undergoing arthroscopic surgery for an ankle injury in late December, Lo Celso has a valuable opportunity to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup and achieve the regularity he needs. Given the intense schedule ahead, he is likely to see ample playing time, allowing him to persuade Pellegrini to revert Fornals back to a double pivot and secure a place in the team.

So far this season, Lo Celso has accumulated 1,248 minutes on the field, scoring two goals (one in LaLiga and another in the Europa League) and providing two assists in domestic competition. Despite not being at his peak performance, the club’s confidence in him remains unwavering. This was reaffirmed by sporting director Manu Fajardo in an interview with MARCA, where he stated that no offers had been received for Lo Celso and confirmed his integral role in the club’s project.

“Gio is a very important player. He has demonstrated this through his recent performances, both during his first term at Betis and following his return with the Argentine national team. He has returned with a great attitude and readiness after the Christmas break. There is maximum confidence in Gio, both personally and professionally. I am convinced we will soon see his best version again,” Fajardo noted.

After missing the 2022 Qatar World Cup due to injury, Argentina is looking forward to seeing the best of Lo Celso in the upcoming tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, to achieve this, he must step up significantly at Real Betis, where he has now achieved the milestone of 100 appearances.