Marco Asensio: Humble youngster en route to stardom

Marco Asensio – The most talked about youngster in Spain / Image via sport.es

It has been exactly a year since Marco Asensio made arrangements to sign a contract with Real Madrid.

Up to that moment and onwards, his career has taken some unusual steps, as the youngster from Palma, Majorca, is still getting accustomed to the fact he is the most talked about rising stars in Spain.

Ever since his debut at the hometown club of Mallorca, it was evident that Spanish football has been gifted with yet another shiny pearl.

The exciting attacker impressed in Mallorca’s relegation campaign and there was a battle between Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid among many other interesting clubs vying for his signature.

Asensio ultimately opted for Real Madrid who had officially signed him on 5^th December for a reported €3.9 million. Los Blancos agreed to let Asensio stay on loan at Mallorca for the remainder of the season, after which he completed the pre-season with the La Liga giants.

However, Asensio was loaned out to Espanyol before he got the chance to play for Real Madrid. It didn’t stop him from making a huge impact and gaining a lot of praise from the public, fans, pundits and his teammates alike.

Strengths

A mixture of Isco and Lionel Messi, the talented 19-year-old is very stylish with his on-ball movement. His balance and acceleration are equally imposing, along with excellent vision, as Asensio is the player who always seeks opportunities to give the ball to his teammates.

Apart from his apparent footballing qualities, Asensio has impressed with his personal values as well. Described as a sensible boy, the Espanyol star is also portrayed as a responsible professional, yet humble and a good person.

His personal qualities are seen through the fact that, despite intensive interest from almost all La Liga sides, Asensio opted for a loan to Espanyol, in order to be close to his family.

Modest off the pitch, a proper dangerman on the field, Asensio can play in numerous position. The Spanish whiz is good a dribbling, scoring and making key passes towards his teammates. The exciting young star can play behind striker and on the wings, which makes him an all-round player.

Real Madrid career on hold

His four assists so far in La Liga season 2015/16 have put him in the top of the chart, in the company of Gareth Bale, Alberto Lora, Nolito and Roberto Soldado.

With 2.3 chances crated per game, Marco Asensio is among the brightest stars of the Spanish top tier – Neymar (3.7), Nolito (3.1), Luka Modric (2.4), and level with Messi.

The stats are just telling a part of the entire story which lies behind one of the most exciting Spanish stars who is closely watched by his parent club, Real Madrid, reportedly willing to recall him as early as January.

With the winter transfer window coming up, Espanyol forward claims, however, that he is not interested in going back to Santiago Bernabeu until the end of the season.

Aware of the tough competition for the first-team places, Asensio is dedicated to Espanyol’s cause and is keen on helping the team make the most of their current campaign, and also learning his trade in a much more controlled environment.

Holland or Spain?

As the son a Basque father and a Dutch mother Marco Asensio Willemsen has also attracted much attention with the Spanish and the Dutch Football Associations.

He has already made three appearances for Spain’s Under-21 side, so Asensio is eligible for a switch to the Dutch squad, since he has not yet been capped on the senior level.

Spanish manager Vicente del Bosque claimed earlier in October that Asensio is ‘much appreciated by Spain’ and that he will be under close watch as a member of the Under 21 set-up.

The Dutch were also keen, and there has even been a strong online campaign in order to convince the youngster to choose to play for the Netherlands.

However, he has no dilemma.

Asensio confirmed contact from Dutch officials, but has reiterated his desire to continue with Spain.

Marco Asensio is yet another star in the making, one of the latest jewels in the long lasting production line of the Spanish football factory, en route to stardom.