Real Madrid defender’s injury could open major opportunity for academy starlet | OneFootball

Raul Asencio’s latest injury setback has created an opening in the Real Madrid defence, and Mario Rivas could be the player Jose Mourinho turns to, claims a report from AS.

It is to be noted that Asencio has undergone surgery on his right tibia and is expected to spend two to three months on the sidelines. 

His absence leaves Mourinho with limited senior options at centre-back, increasing the importance of the players available at Castilla.

On that note, Rivas has one major advantage: Mourinho knows what he can offer.

Mourinho has already backed Mario Rivas

The Real Madrid manager gave the Castilla defender several opportunities during pre-season and made it clear that he rated his potential.

“He has a brilliant future ahead of him,” said the manager.

Mario Rivas could earn his chance under Mourinho. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Those opportunities were significant because Rivas had already attracted attention within the first-team setup before Mourinho’s arrival.

Notably, former manager Carlo Ancelotti included him in two La Liga squads and one Copa del Rey squad during the 2024-25 campaign. 

His path towards the senior team subsequently became less direct under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, but Mourinho’s arrival has changed that situation.

The Portuguese coach’s pre-season decisions suggested that Rivas was being considered as a potential first-team option.

Real Madrid need another centre-back option

Asencio’s surgery has made the situation more urgent, as Mourinho currently has Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate and Antonio Rudiger available as senior centre-backs. 

Rivas impressed Jose Mourinho during pre-season. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

Furthermore, Eder Militao is also approaching a return, although the Brazilian is likely to be eased back into competitive action rather than immediately thrown into a heavy workload.

That leaves Castilla as the obvious place to look for additional depth.

Certainly, Rivas is not the only possible candidate, but his previous exposure to Mourinho gives him an important advantage. 

The manager has already watched him closely and has publicly expressed confidence in his long-term potential.

Hence, with Asensio facing a lengthy recovery and Militao still working towards full fitness, the coming weeks could come as Rivas’ biggest opportunity to establish himself around the Real Madrid first team.