Raúl Asencio Is About to Make the Leap and Real Madrid Knows It: They're Testing the Waters

The positive surprise for Real Madrid this season, beyond a spectacular Dani Ceballos, is Raúl Asencio. The Canarian '35', directly promoted from Real Madrid Castilla, joined the first team to address the striking shortage of center-backs that Carlo Ancelotti is currently facing. His performance since then has been remarkable.

The former leader of the first reserve team's defense has shown that he didn't need an adaptation period to European elite soccer, making his strengths clear from day one. His decisiveness and solidity, as well as an unusual leadership ability on the field, make him the reinforcement that the Reggiolo coach had requested months ago.

But it's not just Real Madrid's coach who has noticed him. Other teams from the five major leagues, especially in Italy, seem to have placed him high on their list of potential signings for the upcoming summer markets. By then, Valdebebas offices hope to have renewed his contract with an offer that firmly establishes him in the first team.

Especially if a call from the Spanish national team is approaching. Like Dani Ceballos, who could return to the group coached by Luis de la Fuente according to Eduardo Inda's information, the Canarian center-back is catching the selector's attention. The information from the As newspaper couldn't be clearer on this matter.

Team Change Expected

After statements acknowledging the promising projection of the '35' merengue's current performance, Luis de la Fuente would have decided to include him in his upcoming call-ups. The international break in March will be one of the first testing grounds for the current Spanish coach to form his ideal group of footballers.

With the victory in the Euro Cup in Germany still in memory, many in Spain point to the 2026 United States World Cup as the next major competitive challenge. This tournament held in North America could feature two Madridists: Dani Ceballos and Raúl Asencio himself.

However, both players will only be on the final lists for tournaments like that World Cup if they have some continuity in their club's tactical plans. This is where, at least for now, a Carlo Ancelotti who doesn't usually rely on both players regularly comes into play. Only in extreme cases, as is happening these days, are both Raúl Asencio and Dani Ceballos undisputed starters.

The absence of other players who could compete with them is no obstacle for the Utrera '19' and the Canarian '35' to showcase all their football potential to both insiders and outsiders. The growth of Raúl Asencio as a Real Madrid center-back, in addition to his unbelievable resemblance to a white legend, opens the doors to the Spanish national team.