Marco Asensio impressive display has earned him a starting spot for Los Blancos.
Named after Dutch legend Marco Van Basten, Marco Asensio has had a blistering start to his Real Madrid career after scoring two sublime goals in his first two matches in place of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.
Asensio, who FC Barcelona were courting in 2014, signed with Los Blancos that same year for €3.9 million, with the help of tennis superstar and Madrid supporter Rafael Nadal, Jugones revealed.
The former RCD Mallorca starlet made his Real Madrid debut against Sevilla in the 2016 Super Cup on August 9th, slotting home a brilliant goal in the 21st minute which inspired 3-2 Madrid victory in Norway.
The newest Real Madrid wonderkid, Asensio, started again in La Liga opener against Real Sociedad, picking up where he left-off twelve days prior by scoring an exquisite chip over Rulli Geronimo in the 40th minute.
According to Spanish paper AS, Asensio recent display has seen him usurp James Rodriguez and Isco in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu. Could the 20-year-old be in line for a Spain call-up?
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Mallorca to Madrid
Asensio broke into RCD Mallorca’s first team in 2013-14 campaign, his hometown club at the age of 17. After securing a starting role the following season, Marco Asensio spectacular display beguiled Real Madrid, and in December 2014 the Spanish side penned the youngster to a six-year deal, but was instantaneously loaned back to Los Bermellones for the rest of the season. He made 36 appearances and collected six goals.
After spending 18 months on loan at Mallorca and Espanyol, Asensio commenced the 2016-2017 season as a key member to Zinedine Zidane’s first-team squad, his rise to stardom was praised by club president Florentino Perez at his unveiling presser.
“Today is a great day for this club as we are presenting a marvelous player,” said perez. “His qualities is indisputable and he’s been hoping to wear the Real Madrid shirt for years. He’s already begun to seduce madridismo with his talents.”
Could Asensio keep Ronaldo on the bench?
Zidane’s most popular 4-3-3 line-up consist of Karim Benzema at the centre-forward position, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on both flanks. Spain international, Alvaro Morata is set to be the auxiliary to Benzema while Lucas Vasquez generally came off the bench to featured on the right flank last campaign.
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Ousting club talisman Cristiano Ronaldo would be a tough task for Asensio, but with Madrid competing in three different competitions, he will be granted plenty of opportunities to impress, both as a starter or a game-changer off the bench.
Asensio, 20, has already won over the Los Blancos faithful, if he continues to excel with world-class players at Madrid, this could be the signing of the summer.