Real Madrid hasn't had their best season in defense. Injuries have been a headache for Carlo Ancelotti. Between unexpected absences and a lack of reliable replacements, the Italian coach has had to improvise more than once.
Despite having names like Rüdiger, Alaba, or Nacho, stability hasn't been constant. The urgencies have forced the club to put several names on the table. They are looking for muscle, character, and, above all, future, because the defense needs a silent but firm renewal.
Raúl Asencio, the Hidden Gem That Inspired Hope
In this context, Raúl Asencio began to stand out. Young, confident, and with personality. He has known how to respond in key moments and prove that he can be important.
It's no coincidence that several media outlets placed him as a possible generational replacement. Asencio seemed to be gaining ground. He had earned the coaching staff's trust and was poised to remain in the club's plans, but everything could change.
Ramón Martínez, the Surprise That Changes Everything
Ramón Martínez appears on the scene, a youth player from Sevilla, a center-back of the kind that are no longer abundant. In the last match against Alavés, he delivered a brilliant performance. Serious, forceful, and with authority.
To many, he was reminiscent, with due differences, of the first Sergio Ramos. The one who also left Nervión to end up leading the white defense.
Ramón didn't disappoint, and his name is already being heard in Valdebebas. Real Madrid is closely following him. It's not a risky bet; it's an opportunity.
A New Sergio Ramos?
The parallel is inevitable; Ramón has that profile that captivates the Madridist fans. Grit, commitment, leadership.
The Utrera coach, Quique Sánchez Flores, has managed to bring out the best in him. In the midst of a challenging period for Sevilla, Ramón has excelled, and that says a lot.
His emergence puts pressure and could leave Raúl Asencio in the background. Not for lack of talent, but because of the appearance of a competitor with more visibility and more spotlight.
A Future at Stake
For Asencio, the path is becoming more complicated. He will have to double his efforts if he wants to maintain his place on the club's priority list. Because in elite soccer, opportunities are few, and one must know how to seize them.
Real Madrid has the decision in their hands. To bet on known solidity or to go for the "new Ramos." Whatever the choice, the message is clear: in the white defense, no one has a guaranteed spot.