Former Real Madrid star does not regret decision to leave for PSG – ‘Have to know when to leave a place’ | OneFootball

Speaking in an interview with MARCA, former Real Madrid star, Marco Asensio, who currently plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey, opened up on his decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu more than two years ago.

Asensio spent eight years as a Real Madrid player, having arrived at a young age in 2015. During his time at the club, the 29-year-old versatile attacker made 286 appearances, racking up 61 goals and 32 assists.

In the process, he won three La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, one Copa del Rey, along with multiple Spanish Super Cups and UEFA Super Cups.

In 2023, though, Asensio decided not to renew his contract at Real Madrid and leave for PSG, a decision he does not regret even though his time in France was far from ideal.

No, I don’t regret it because in my last year I won the title I was missing, the Copa del Rey. You have to know when to leave a place. I felt immense affection from the fans, from Florentino, from the coach… But I felt it was the right time,” said Asensio.

“It wasn’t a sporting or financial decision, but a personal one. I wanted to set new goals because I needed a change in my life, in my career….”

Continuing, he added: “Real Madrid will always be my home because I’ve been a Madridista since I was little, but I felt it was time to try something new.”

Asensio now plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Asensio also shared a story of his final moments at Real Madrid and how he had a special interaction with club president Florentino Perez.

“Speaking now about the farewell, Florentino and I had a beautiful, intimate moment. It was a beautiful farewell at the stadium, but before the match, I had a wonderful moment alone with Florentino, and I remember it very fondly,” he recalled.

“Just the two of us, in a room, in a very private moment, talking about life, about how the transfer had gone, about our families… It was incredible.”

Reminiscing his debut at Real Madrid, in the UEFA Super Cup match in 2016, and how it made him the darling of Spanish football, Asencio remarked:

“It was a significant breakthrough for many reasons. First, because it was at Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world. And second, because of my age. My first match was in the European Super Cup, as a starter, and I scored a goal.

“Everything happened very quickly, and I felt ready. My father would ask me how I did it, but I didn’t feel any pressure then; I just enjoyed it.

“I was going out onto the pitch sharing the field with the best players in the world, and that made it very easy. I took it all in stride.”

Since leaving Real Madrid in 2023, Asensio spent a year and a half at PSG and then joined Aston Villa on loan in the winter window earlier this year.

The summer window saw the 29-year-old star leave PSG permanently to sign for Fenerbahce.