Asensio piles pressure on Real Madrid as Spain smash Costa Rica

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:56 CDT
• 4 min read

Marco Asensio’s Real Madrid career is not over yet. Indeed, the winger’s performance in Spain’s World Cup opener against Costa Rica has only further increased the chances of him signing a new contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Asensio scored Spain’s second goal in their thumping 7-0 opening group game win over Costa Rica on Wednesday.

He finished clinically from Jordi Alba’s cross to double Spain’s lead and impressed hugely as a false nine in a fluid attack alongside Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.

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Spain produced a magical performance in which they put on a passing clinic against the Costa Ricans. Pedri, Gavi and Sergio Busquets utterly dominated possession in midfield, as Spain put on arguably the most impressive team performance of the World Cup so far.

Asensio showed that he is absolutely at the level to shine among not only Spain’s stars but also Real Madrid’s stars.

Palma-born Asensio joined Real Madrid 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 now 30 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.

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.

But in recent weeks, Asensio has worked his way back into the Madrid starting XI. He put in one particularly brilliant performance with a goal and man-of-the-match display in the 5-1 Champions League win over Celtic.

Asensio has now made at least one goal contribution in six of his last seven appearances for club and country.

What did Asensio say about renewal?

“Hopefully the renewal can be done and I will be very happy at Real Madrid”, Asensio told Radio Marca earlier on Wednesday.

“Hopefully it’s to stay for 10 more years here at Real. It’s not just me deciding — it’s also up to the club”.

With Asensio keen to renew, Real Madrid will surely follow suit now after witnessing just how well their player is playing. They would be mad not to.