Number 11 will not be worn by Marco Asensio anymore. The Spaniard was one of the players who decided to follow another adventure starting from this summer. In 2016, he started the career at Real Madrid as a very promising young player after spending two years on loan (one at Mallorca & one at Espanyol). His spell at Real Madrid was as well constantly disrupted by injuries and subsequently inconsistent form. Even why he had many ups and downs and never became a fixed part of the starting eleven he always managed to score some notable goals in important moments. Asensio surely had important contributions to the team’s achievements during his time as a Madridista.
In these two years under Ancelotti Asensio has been slowly returning to his best. Versatile, willing to run and tactically astute, he’s played an important part in their revival during the Italian’s second spell. In 2021-22 hew managed to score 12 times and assisting 2 other times. In 2022-23 he managed the same number of goals but this time assisted 8 times. Despite the improvement under Ancelotti, he has been searching for more playing time, which was extremely difficult to get considering the competition.
Real Madrid were keen on offering him a new deal. The club was open to giving him a wage hike and also comfortable with letting him choose the length of the contract. But however, they could not offer assurances about playing time. That proved to be the deal breaker which will see the winger leave the club. At the end he notified the club that he will look for a new team as a free agent, with Paris Saint-German ready to secure his services ahead of the 2023-24 as his newest challenge.
Real Madrid made an official announcement regarding the departure of the forward, which wrote: Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to Marco Asensio, a player who has defended our badge and our colours for seven seasons. He joined Real Madrid when he was just 20 years old and has made history as part of a team involved in one of our most successful eras. Marco Asensio has lifted 17 trophies at Real Madrid: 3 European Cups, 4 Club World Cups, 3 Uefa Super Cups, 3 LaLiga titles, 1 Copa del Rey and 3 Spanish Super Cups. As madridistas we will never forget his career and his outstanding conduct during all this time. Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and we wish him and all his family the best of luck in this new chapter in his career.
Asensio also made the news official posting an emotional video stating his willingness to make a difficult decision and move forward in search of a new challenge. In the video he said: “Dear Madridistas, today I address you with a lump on my throat and a heart full of mixed feelings. Since I was very young Real Madrid became my passion, my dream and my most cherished goal. And I have had the privilege of making this dream come true during these wonderful years. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to Real Madrid, the president, to its board, to the coaches and to all the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this club such a special institution”.
“I would also like to mention my teammates. Together we have lived moments of glory, fought in every battle and celebrated unforgettable victories. But I cannot forget the real reason to be part of Real Madrid, its incredible fans. You are the soul and the engine of this club. Your passion, your encouragement and your unconditional love are what drive us to give our all in every game and to live unforgettable nights that I will always carry with me. However, the time has come when I have to make a difficult decision. I have decided to embark on a new direction in my career in search of a project in which I can achieve new goals. Thank you dear madridistas for all of your unconditional support! We will meet again somewhere along this wonderful football road. Un madridista de Corazon”, he concluded in his post.
Marco Asensio bid farewell to Real Madrid after winning 17 trophies in seven seasons. After playing in the match against Athletic Club and receiving a standing ovation from the fans, the forward posed for photos on the Santiago Bernabéu pitch with the club's president and all the trophies he has won as a madridista. Asensio handed Florentino Pérez a shirt with this message: "Thank you for helping me to fulfil my dream and my mother's dream. Forever grateful. With lots of love, Marco Asensio".
The future: Asensio has been represented by Jorge Mendes for over a year now, after the player broke off relations with Horacio Gagglio (his lifelong agent) and in recent time has told Madrid of offers that were coming his way (primarily from England). Most of the interest has hailed from England with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa monitoring the player at close quarters. Despite the Premier League interest, the Ligue 1 champions’ new project, along with the firm interest they have shown in the man from Mallorca, appear to have tipped the balance in their favor.
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