The 1996-97 campaign was a season of spectacular success for Real Betis, as Los Verdiblancos surged to a magnificent 4th-place finish in La Liga under manager Lorenzo Serra and reached the Copa del Rey Final. Spearheading the charge was their legendary striker Alfonso Pérez, whose 25 league goals, the most by a player in club history, cemented his status as an idol and included the memorable debut of his iconic 'White Boots' that season.