The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is experiencing a transitional phase, but amidst this new era of young talents, there is one figure starting to shine brightly: Raúl Asencio. At just 22 years old, the Real Madrid youth academy product has proven to be not just a promise, but a reality in the team's present.
A Center-Back with Projection
Since his debut in November, where he showed flashes of quality, Asencio hasn't stopped impressing. In his debut, he delivered a precise long pass, something he repeated by assisting Kylian Mbappé in a key goal against Manchester City.
His ability to read the game and deliver precise passes has made him one of the most valuable pieces of Ancelotti's Real Madrid. He is a young center-back, but with a maturity on the field that makes one think of him as a player of the future, and the present.
A Future Tied to Real Madrid
Despite being tempted by teams like PSG, Asencio has made it clear that his heart beats for Real Madrid.
He hasn't paid attention to the siren calls from other clubs, and his main goal remains to succeed in Chamartín. Although PSG's offer was attractive, his ambition to be key at Real Madrid weighed more in his decision.
A Complete Center-Back
What stands out about Raúl Asencio is his balance. He is not only strong in defensive duels, but he also has an impressive ability to quickly correct positions. His speed in adapting to difficult situations and his confidence in facing the most dangerous opponents have made him an indispensable asset for Real Madrid.
Moreover, his ball-playing ability is of a quality that many more experienced players would envy. He is a defender with great projection, but also with an already demonstrated ability to perform at the highest level.
The Renewal, an Inevitable Step
With Asencio's contract valid until 2026, Real Madrid hasn't delayed in setting their renewal plan in motion. The priority now is to extend his bond with the club and raise his release clause, which currently stands at 50 million euros. Although this amount is considerable, it has been shown that it is not enough to retain a player of his caliber in the future.
The idea is to tie the young center-back for a longer time and ensure that he doesn't become a desired piece for other European soccer giants. His 50 million clause will soon be insufficient, given his great quality and potential.