Rare case
Saturday, March 15, is a normal day for many people in the world. But for Raul Asencio, it was a special day. For the first time in his career, Asencio was named in the list of the Spanish National Team. Coach Luis de la Fuente, like many others, was impressed with what the 22-year-old centre-back has shown for Real Madrid this season.
Maybe, many people will feel very normal, because in many places in the world, there are also players who are called up to the national team for the first time. However, Asencio's special case is that he went straight to the national team and had never played for the youth teams of the Vietnamese team before.
Think carefully, Vietnamese football is also having such a case, Pham Ly Duc, with similarities with Asencio: Ly Duc was born on February 12, 2023, Asencio was born on February 13, 2023; Ly Duc is 1m82, Asencio is 1m84 tall. Ly Duc and Asencio were both promoted to the first team in the 2024-2025 season and both play center-back. However, while Asencio is considered by experts to be "ready to compete for a position in the national team", for Ly Duc, this training session is just to learn and then return to serve the U22 team in 2025.
Returning to Asencio, although he did not experience any Spanish U team, he is now considered the " future of football in this country", nicknamed "new Sergio Ramos". Interestingly, the player born in Las Palmas is a combination of two of the attacking stars that Spanish football has produced - Raul Gonzalez and Marco Asensio (both of whom have played for Real Madrid) - but he plays as a centre-back and is recreating the image of the legendary Ramos at the Bernabeu.
New Sergio Ramos
Why do many people say they are seeing Ramos again at the Bernabeu? Because what makes the 38-year-old legend's brand - not afraid - is being impressively demonstrated by Asencio. It is no surprise that Asencio considers Ramos his idol. And so, not only not afraid of any opponent, Asencio also has speed, passion, powerful turns and long passes.
After Real Madrid eliminated Manchester City in the Champions League last month, on the Reddit forum, there were many compliments for Asencio, including the writer: "Raul Asencio!!! He's a great player! I know he's quite young and still has a long way to go to be the best player in the game, but given his age, the way he plays, his passion, his desire and his crazyness, he has shown leadership qualities that remind us of Sergio Ramos.
He has fulfilled his role perfectly, never lost and kept calm throughout the match. The moment of "standing up" (an signal of opponent standing up after a football match) shows the nature of Sergio Ramos inside me, I was extremely happy to see that we could have another player with similar personality and talent.
Asencio is not only talented but also has great potential. He is excellent with the ball, extremely agile and can defend with both feet. In particular, his speed is crazy and I'm sure he will play better and better. I hope Madrid will take care of this young talent and help him develop his full potential. If they do, we could see another Sergio Ramos!
Impact of family education
Interestingly, while showing his strength and "bear" on the pitch like Ramos, Asencio has a modest personality and deep professional ethics. Despite the pressure of playing for one of the world's biggest football clubs, he has maintained a realistic lifestyle, focusing on continuous improvement both on and off the pitch. That comes from the educational factor of the family.
Asencio was born into a family with close ties in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. His parents played an important role in his development. They have supported Asencio's football ambitions since he was a child. His father, a former amateur player, was the one who brought him to the sport, while his mother emphasized the importance of education and discipline in life.
Growing up in the Canary Islands, Asencio spent much of his childhood playing soccer with friends on the streets and beaches of Las Palmas. Even as his career progressed, he was always close to his family, often visiting them during the break between football matches. The family's tireless support is the main factor that helps him reach the professional level.
Family is the foundation for Asencio's success. His parents ensure that he maintains a balanced lifestyle, encouraging him to focus on football while prioritizing self-development. Their encouragement has helped him overcome the challenges of having to leave home as a child to join the Real Madrid academy in 2017.
That parenting has taught him a strong sense of discipline and professionalism, clearly demonstrated through the rapid rise of Madrid's youth teams. Coaches often praise his mature mentality and many people believe that his personal circumstances have formed him to become a calm and intelligent defender as he is today.
Asencio's modesty and diligence have helped him receive admiration from both fans and teammates. Despite his early success, he is always dedicated to continuous improvement, inspired by the values of his family. Many experts predict that his realistic personality will help him handle the pressures of playing for Real Madrid and develop him into a future leader for both the club and the national team.
Charitable activities
In addition to football, Asencio is also actively involved in charity work, using his social media platforms to support social activities and create positive impacts. In addition, his interests and interests in addition to sports also revealed another aspect of his personality, expressing his love for activities that help him maintain balance and mental health.
Understanding the influence and foundation that professional athletes have, he has actively participated in charitable initiatives focusing on helping disadvantaged communities, supporting youth development, education and sports access for disadvantaged children. He believes in the power of football in inspiring and improving the community, which is why he supports initiatives to provide young players with the opportunity to develop their skills regardless of their financial circumstances.