Raúl Asencio experienced firsthand how unpredictable modern football can be. The young defender waited a long time for his chance within the Madrid club system, holding on to hope and continuing to work at the La Fábrica academy. His debut for the first team was the result of perseverance and resilience, as well as a twist of fate—injuries to key defenders paved the way for him to join the main squad.
In his first season with the first team, Asencio played 42 matches, spending over 3,100 minutes on the field. His confident play and leadership qualities quickly won him the trust of fans and teammates. However, after a strong start, he faced a turning point—taking part in the Club World Cup proved to be a serious test. Over 121 minutes on the pitch, he made several critical mistakes: first, conceding a penalty in the match against Al Hilal and then being sent off early in the game against Pachuca. These incidents overshadowed months of hard work and cast doubt on his future role in the squad.
Before that tournament, Asencio had even received a call-up to the Spain national team, but his debut was postponed—Dean Huijsen got his chance first. Despite setbacks, the defender didn’t let his spirits drop. The return of Éder Militão and the consistent form of Antonio Rüdiger limited his playing time, but Asencio kept training with full commitment, waiting for another opportunity.
The coaching staff, including Xabi Alonso, noted his professionalism and ability to quickly recover from setbacks. According to experts, Asensio is distinguished by his knack for anticipating the flow of play and fighting until the end in every moment on the field. His example has been an inspiration for other academy graduates who also aspire to make it into the first team amid tough competition.
Now, as the team once again needed reliability in defense, Asensio returned to the rotation and proved his readiness for new challenges. His journey is a story of overcoming difficulties, continuous development, and striving for professional growth. Despite fierce competition at the Madrid club, he managed to keep faith in himself and has once again become an important figure for the coaching staff.
