After the conclusion of Spain’s first gathering this year, Raúl Asencio caught the attention of several internationals, including Lamine Yamal and Pedri González from FC Barcelona.
Revealed to the world last November by Carlo Ancelotti, Raúl Asencio had a special experience this March. Having become indispensable at Real Madrid after Éder Militão’s injury, the young Malaga native left Luis de la Fuente no choice but to include him in the list of 26 players called up for the Nations League quarter-finals. And from the moment he arrived, the 22-year-old sensation made a lasting impression. Solid on his feet, Asencio quickly won over many with his key asset: his speed. As revealed by Spanish media, Lamine Yamal made a remark to his club teammate, Pedri.
Yamal impressed by Raúl’s speed
During training, in preparation for the match against the Netherlands, a sprint duel took place between the only Madrid player called up during this break and Pedri. As expected, Raúl Asencio easily outpaced the Catalan playmaker, who is not known for his sprinting ability. A witness to the exercise, along with his other teammates, Lamine Yamal approached his senior teammate to confess: “He’s the fastest defender in the team, my brother…”
This confession affirms everything that is being said about the 22-year-old defender. Against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League recently, Raúl Asencio showed his pace, running over 35 km/h over a few metres to halt a counter-attack from Rodrygo De Paul. With this sprint, he became the fastest central defender in the Champions League this season. With this key attribute, Carlo Ancelotti’s protege is establishing himself as one of the best central defenders in the world right now.
Raúl Asencio’s positive impression with the national team
Although he did not officially play for Spain during this international break, the Malaga native is very likely to realise his dream in the future. As captured by El Desmarque’s cameras and others, the young Madrid player took advantage of this break to train alongside Spain’s top players. While he didn’t make an official start, he used this gathering to familiarise himself with the national team’s locker room and build relationships with his teammates. Well-liked for his calmness and seriousness in his work, Raúl Asencio caught the attention of several teammates.
Although there are often minor tensions between Madrid and Barcelona players in the national team, things went smoothly this time. Now, Asencio simply needs to continue performing at Real Madrid and give himself the best chance of being called up again for the next international break.
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