Real Madrid in sensational U-turn on out-of-contract star

FT Desk

• 3 Nov 2022 14:12 GMT
• 4 min read

Marco Asensio looked dead and buried at Real Madrid, but the Spain winger, who is out of contract at the end of the season, could now renew.

Palma-born Asensio joined los Blancos from Real Mallorca in a deal worth just €3.9 million in December 2014, and has blossomed into a top player at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning three Champions Leagues and 29 caps with Spain.

But his career in the Spanish capital had looked to be over this season, with each of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde playing ahead of him in the wide attacking areas, and his contract expiring on 30 June next summer.

READ: Barcelona preparing to sign Marco Asensio on a free transfer

When Carlo Ancelotti had Asensio watch all 90 minutes of Real's 4-1 win over his native Mallorca in September - having let him warm up - the wide man let rip, throwing away his bib, kicking a cool box and tossing his bottle to the ground.

Arsenal, Juventus and latterly Real's Clasico rivals Barcelona have all been linked with a move to acquire the 26-year-old on a free, but they could now be disappointed with Asensio enjoying a late recovery.

Asensio says he never wanted to leave, and his agent told AS recently that: "12 teams wanted to sign Marco in the last transfer window. He didn't want to listen to any offer, because his desire is still to play for Madrid."

READ: When does the contract of every Real Madrid player expire?

And now Real are starting to use him more. With Karim Benzema wrestling with a thigh complaint, Rodrygo has been leading the line in recent weeks, with Asensio taking the Brazilian's spot on the right flank.

He repaid Ancelotti's faith in him on Wednesday, scoring a fine third goal as Real thrashed Celtic 5-1 in Champions League. Now on Luis Enrique's long-list for Spain's upcoming World Cup campaign, Real seem to realise they have a player worth keeping.

Man of the Match

"He was the best player in the match," Ancelotti said of Asension. "He combined well with Valverde. He was forceful and effective. The best. His attitude when he wasn't playing was good. I had no doubts, but when you're not happy you can have a negative or positive attitude. He chose the positive."

While Vinicius and Rodrygo might remain first-choice on the flanks, Valverde is just as happy playing in central midfield as he is higher and wider, while Eden Hazard could finally have a way out of Real with Unai Emery's Aston Villa.

Asensio's ability - 52 goals and 26 assist now in his 249 games with Real - as well as his position profile - able to play on either flank - make him an asset to Real whom they could yet tie down beyond 2023.