Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio: “Ancelotti has confidence in me”
The Spain international spoke to AS after recently winning a Champions League-LaLiga double and with his future at Real Madrid on hold.
Marco Asensio Willemsen, born 21 January 1996 in Palma, arrives relaxed for his interview with AS. He has won the Spanish domestic title and Champions League double with his Real Madrid teammates and returns to the national team squad after being out for a year and a half. His current contract with Los Blancos ends in a year and he has changed his agent to be with Jorge Mendes. It is easy to understand his message - he wants to play more - but he transmits it from the calm of a mature footballer.
Here’s how our chat evolved...
Asensio on his value to Real Madrid
This interview, curiously, takes place in the Gento classroom of the Ciudad del Fútbol de las Rozas, and nobody has won more European Cups than him. Do you feel like you are involved with writing Real Madrid’s history?
It is a golden era for Madrid, a very important one. For winning titles, for how you win them. We are part of a generation that has been important, is important, and has a lot more to give. All the Madrid fans are enjoying it very much and that makes me happy.
Was that glanced header that allowed Rodrygo to make it 2-1 against City your moment of this Champions League?
Yes, it was. It’s true that I also scored a good goal against Inter and I remember that with a smile. It was in the earlier round. But it’s true, that goal against City, to assist Rodrygo...
Did you joke about it with Rodrygo?
(laughs) Yes, yes. We’ve had a laugh about it, yes.
Looking at your statistics this year, you’ve played very little, just over 2,000 official minutes with the club, and you haven’t been with the national team. But you are the third highest scorer in the team and you score a goal every 170 minutes (one in two games). Doesn’t that give you the feeling that you are played too little for what you score?
Yes, the truth is that, as you say, the statistics are very good. It’s my best goal-scoring season in Madrid. There has been a stretch in which I’ve had that continuity and regularity. That’s when I’ve been able to prove myself and score more goals. I’ve had more impact on the game. In recent times, I haven’t had that regularity. The coach has called on me less but I’m proud of what I’ve done this season. The work has paid off, we’ve won titles, and that’s what I’m happy with.
Across the season you were not only involved in games, but also showed leadership, like that day against Granada when you scored a decisive goal. Are you disappointed with so few minutes?
Personally, I’m not disappointed because I know I’ve given my all this year. In the end, there are things that don’t depend on me and that I can’t control. But what does depend on me and what I have controlled, I have done well. I have tried to give the maximum, the best of me, to win these titles this season. That’s why I’m not disappointed. When I have been given the opportunity, I have taken it. I have given 100% and that is what counts. That has pleased me.
You are a player of moments and with exceptional quality, including stunning goals, but you lack that continuity over time. Do you feel your talent is not being exploited?
In the end, that’s what continuity gives you. There have been three or four months when I’ve had it but I don’t want to stop there. Confidence is very important for a player, to know that in a season you can play in 40 or 50 games and that gives you a lot in terms of confidence, in terms of demanding from yourself. In numbers and in helping the team. That’s what I value personally and that’s what we’ll have to see ...
More to follow...