Raul Asencio: Promising talent in the shadow of a court case

Raul Asencio, a 21-year-old central defender, has made quite a name for himself since being promoted to the Real Madrid first team due to the numerous injuries that have plagued the Madrid squad. His solid performances, notably in the 2-0 win over Getafe, have made him one of the revelations of the season.

His complementarity with Antonio Rüdiger and his efficiency at the back have convinced the club to forego recruiting a defender this winter, a decision that testifies to his potential.

However, Asencio’s career has been overshadowed by a murky legal affair. The defender is embroiled in an investigation into the dissemination of a sexually explicit video of an underage woman, allegedly shared in WhatsApp groups. Although he was apparently not involved in the recording, his participation in the broadcast makes him a key player in this criminal case, which has been classified as child pornography.

The case, dating back to June 2023, continues to be investigated, and although Asencio has yet to stand trial, his image is already suffering. Since the story broke, he has been regularly whistled at away matches. Real Madrid, concerned about its image, could be faced with a dilemma depending on how the case develops. In the meantime, Asencio continues to progress on the pitch, but the shadow of this affair weighs heavily on his future.