Who is Raúl Asencio? Real Madrid defender called into first-team squad for Alavés clash

Without defenders Éder Militao and David Alaba, Carlo Ancelotti has called up Raúl Asencio for Real Madrid’s league meeting with Alavés on Thursday. In his first call-up to the first team, he will be the only natural centre-back on the bench. If Ancelotti is forced into playing another defender, it will be AurélienTchouaméni who will play at centre-back.

Asencio is right-footed, 1.84m tall, 20 years old, and has played the fourth most minutes for Real Madrid Castilla (1.230′), surpassing the talented trio of Théo Zidane (1.204′), Gonzalo (1.192′) and Nico Paz (1.044′). He played for his hometown team (Las Palmas) until the age of 14, when he joined Real Madrid’s La Fábrica academy. At Valdebebas, he is described as one of the “most exciting” defenders in the entire youth academy.

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When Ancelotti has needed defenders due to injuries and suspensions, he has often called up others first. First, it was Marvel, a solution to Militao’s injury. He appeared in the first-team squad, but injuries began to take their toll. Carrillo, captain of Castilla, was then called up for cover with the first team, against Girona, Napoli (Champions League) and Osasuna. But he also ended up getting injured, so it was then the turn of Edgar Pujol, who was called up against Valencia.

Player investigation

Asencio is one of the four academy players under investigation for the alleged release of a sex video in which a minor appeared. The case - for the moment - is in the investigation phase. Various sources claim that he was not at the place where the events took place (Mogán, Las Palmas) and that he did not participate in the sexual act. However, it is being investigated whether he collaborated in the distribution of the video.

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Today, Asencio will be at Mendizorroza with the first team and could make his Real Madrid debut in the club’s last game of 2023.