Xabi Alonso’s encouraging message to Real Madrid youngster low on confidence – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid youngster Raul Asencio began the campaign with considerable involvement under Xabi Alonso at the FIFA Club World Cup but gradually lost his place after a series of costly mistakes raised doubts among the coaching staff.

Now, however, with David Alaba struggling for fitness, Antonio Rudiger sidelined with injury, and both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal unavailable as well, the Real Madrid manager has been forced to turn to the academy ace again.

Xabi’s heart-to-heart with Asencio

In recent matches, the academy graduate has responded well, prompting Alonso to pull him into his office on Friday for a one-on-one discussion, reports Defensa Central.

“I’m very happy with your performances these past few games – this is the Raul I want to see on the pitch,” the manager is understood to have told the defender.

Asencio, who had been low on confidence in recent weeks, has taken encouragement from the message as he once again proves useful to the squad.

Asencio had been low on confidence after mistakes at Club World Cup. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Capable of filling in both at centre-back and at right-back, Asencio has shown reliability in an emergency role. While he offers less attacking output than a natural full-back, his defensive contribution has been valuable to the team.

Real Madrid’s new Nacho?

Asencio knows that once Real Madrid’s defensive unit is fully fit, he will drop back to being the team’s fourth-choice centre-back. Still, recent injuries and suspensions have underlined how vital depth is in this squad.

Within the club, some already draw comparisons to former captain Nacho Fernandez – a versatile and dependable option when called upon.

Asencio, for his part, is fully focused on working hard, staying disciplined, and leaving past off-field issues behind.

Under contract with Real Madrid until 30 June 2030, he has already received offers from elsewhere but has no intention of leaving the Bernabeu now.

The academy graduate’s goal is to establish himself as a key squad player, even if not an automatic starter, and seize the opportunity that has come his way in a difficult period for Real Madrid’s defence.