To the football fan, Raul Asencio is just another defender. But those who truly know his journey remember him as the determined young boy from the Canary Islands—far from Spain’s mainland—who dared to dream big. Growing up away from the traditional football hubs, he faced countless challenges, yet his passion and perseverance never wavered. Through hard work, dedication, and an unshakable belief in himself, he defied the odds and made his dream a reality, earning his place among the stars at Real Madrid.
Raul Asencio, the young dreamer from the Canary Islands who aspired to become a Real Madrid defender, sparked a major shift in his homeland’s football scene. His move to Spain to join Los Blancos marked the beginning of a new era, inspiring a wave of talent from the Canary Islands to follow in his footsteps. Thanks to him, Real Madrid became the first club to scout for talent in the northwestern African archipelago, paving the way for other Spanish clubs to do the same. His journey not only changed his own life but also reshaped the football landscape of his home region.
Raúl Asencio’s Untold Beginnings: His Past, His Passion, His Rise
The football world barely noticed him—just another name in the game—until injuries struck Real Madrid’s defense. That was Raúl Asencio’s moment, and he seized it, making a name for himself when it mattered most. Now, we bring you the story of the defender from Gran Canaria—a talented baller with a troubled past. Despite a dark chapter in his history, he refused to let his past mistakes define him. Instead, he rose above them, proving his worth on the grand stage of the Bernabéu and shining where few expected him to.
Inside Raul Asencio Childhood:
Raúl Asencio del Rosario was born on February 13, 2003, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain—just one day before Valentine’s Day. He shares this almost-festive birthday with stars like Memphis Depay and Vitinha, a day when love fills the air and flowers are exchanged worldwide.
But Raúl’s passion wasn’t romance—it was football. As a young boy, he dreamed big. From the moment he kicked his first ball at his local club in Las Palmas, he knew he was destined for something greater. He didn’t just want to play the game; he wanted to leave his mark.
Raúl Asencio’s early football journey was shaped by one man—his first coach, Juan Carlos Gutiérrez. He was just a young boy when Coach Juan took him under his wing. At the time, there were no signs that he would go far, let alone make it to a club as big as Real Madrid. No one knew if he’d reach the First Division, but Raúl, pictured second from the left among the kids below, never stopped pushing forward.
Raúl Asencio (second from the left) posing at the Gran Canaria Stadium.
What made him stand out wasn’t just his talent—it was his attitude. He was always focused, always serious about the game. Tactically, he was a complete young footballer. He kept his cool, smiled back when smiled at, and stayed calm even when things went wrong for his team. But above all, his determination set him apart. That drive led him to UD Las Palmas, the top-tier club in his hometown, where his real journey began.
Young Raúl Asencio flashes a bright smile on the field, showcasing his friendly spirit and love for the game in his jersey.
As a child, Raúl Asencio was an adorable and cheerful boy, always wearing a bright smile. Juan Carlos Gutiérrez, the coach who first shaped Raúl Asencio’s career, lost track of him after he moved to UD Las Palmas. Years passed, and then one day, he got the shock of his life—Raúl was wearing the famous white jersey of Real Madrid, shining alongside stars like Vinícius Júnior and Luka Modrić.
Sitting at a bar, drink in hand, he couldn’t hide his pride. Turning to the café owner, he pointed at the screen and said with a smile,
“Look, I trained that boy… that kid was my student.”
Now working as a regional coach for the RFEF in Las Palmas, Juan Carlos could finally see just how far his former student had come.
The Path to Fame at Las Palmas:
After graduating from Juan Carlos Gutiérrez’s guidance, Raúl Asencio wasted no time making an impact at his new club, UD Las Palmas. He joined in his second year as a junior, and it didn’t take long for his defensive qualities to shine. He was solid at the back, always in the right position, and had a natural understanding of the game.
Raúl wasn’t the biggest or the flashiest player, but he learned fast. He absorbed tactical concepts quickly, which helped him grow at an incredible pace. His dedication and sharp football mind didn’t go unnoticed. By the age of 17, he had already caught the attention of Real Madrid, earning his place at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
This is young Raúl Asencio showing glimpses of the promising talent that would one day take him to the top.
Childhood Memories with Best Friend:
Before Real Madrid came calling, Raúl Asencio was sure he would build a career in football—but playing for Los Blancos was something else entirely. His childhood friend, Julen Reyes, remembers just how big of a deal it was.
Raúl and Julen were inseparable as kids, their bond resembling the famous La Masia friendship between Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas. Both dreamed of becoming professional footballers, growing up side by side on and off the pitch. They shared a dressing room and a deep friendship at UD Las Palmas, pushing each other to be better.
But in their second year as juniors, their paths split. Raúl moved to Madrid, donning the iconic white kit of Real Madrid, while Julen stayed behind. Though their careers took different turns, their childhood memories and shared passion for the game would always connect them.
Raúl Asencio and Gabri Martín, former students and promising young players of national football
Journey to Real Madrid:
There were certain qualities that made young Raúl Asencio catch Real Madrid’s attention. From the moment he joined UD Las Palmas’ youth teams, he stood out—not just for his skills, but for his maturity beyond his years.
Raúl had a strong upbringing. He was well-educated, loved training, and was always eager to improve. His secret? It all started at home. His parents and brother instilled discipline in him from an early age. His parents, in particular, were strict and pushed him to work hard, never settling for less.
During his five years at UD Las Palmas, Raúl developed a near-obsession with heading the ball, constantly perfecting his technique. His dedication and drive set him apart, making him a player destined for greatness.
Raúl Asencio del Rosario proudly wore the UD Las Palmas jersey for five years, from 2012 to 2017. In his hometown of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, he quickly caught the attention of Manuel Rodríguez Tonono, the Academy Manager of UD Las Palmas. Tonono saw something special in him and wasted no time showcasing him to scouts. After all, it wasn’t every day that a kid from the Canary Islands displayed such talent—something fans still say about Raúl to this day.
Back then, he was easy to spot with his long hair and his obsession with heading the ball. Even at just nine years old, he already looked like a future footballer. He was fast, disciplined, and tactically sharp. A natural defender, he always gave his best for the team. But Raúl wasn’t just winning on the field—he also excelled in his studies at AD Huracán and Acodetti CF schools, proving that success followed him wherever he went.
How Real Madrid found Raúl Asencio
Years ago, scouts regularly searched the Canary Islands’ youth and cadet football teams, looking for the next big talent to bring to mainland Spain. Among them was Sixto Alfonso, Real Madrid’s dedicated scout in the region. He was the man responsible for discovering Raúl Asencio, Jesé, and many other future stars who would go on to wear the famous white jersey.
Sixto first noticed Raúl when he was in his second year of compulsory secondary education at the Salesian school. What stood out wasn’t just his skill, but his maturity and rapid development at such a young age. In his reports to Real Madrid, Sixto highlighted Raúl’s impressive qualities, especially his aerial ability, which he had already mastered. Working under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane, Sixto Alfonso made sure Real Madrid took notice of this rising star.
Sixto Alfonso, the scout who discovered Raúl Asencio, worked under the legendary Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.
Did you know? Sixto Alfonso, the same scout who discovered Raúl Asencio, was also responsible for finding Manchester City legend David Silva. However, despite his talent, Silva never made it to Real Madrid. The club’s coach at the time, Vicente Del Bosque (1999–2003), rejected him due to his short stature—much to Sixto’s frustration.
Fast forward to 2017, and another young talent from the Canary Islands was on his way to Real Madrid. At just 13 years old, Raúl Asencio joined the club’s youth academy. He wasn’t a high-profile signing, nor was he the most physically dominant player, but he adapted quickly and made headlines.
Before his move to Madrid, a local digital newspaper took notice, writing: “The youngster, born in 2003, is making history.” Fans also found an interesting coincidence—his surname, Asencio, closely resembled that of Marco Asensio, another Real Madrid star from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Though the two weren’t related, Raúl’s journey was just beginning, and his name was already making waves.
Raúl Asencio’s departure marked the beginning of a major challenge for UD Las Palmas’ director of training and recruitment, Tonono Rodríguez. Every summer, he worried about losing young talents to Spain’s biggest mainland clubs—and Raúl was no exception.
Football is more than just a sport in Gran Canaria; it’s a way of life. The youth academy at Salesianos Las Palmas had been producing incredible talent in recent years, and Raúl’s rise to Real Madrid was proof of that. The boy who once dreamed while sitting in the classrooms of Ciudad Jardín school had finally made it.
As a child, he watched Real Madrid on TV, never imagining that one day, he’d be the one playing at the Santiago Bernabéu. But dreams do come true—and Raúl Asencio was living his.
Fame at Real Madrid:
At just 14, Raúl Asencio took his first steps toward greatness, joining Real Madrid’s cadet team and beginning his journey with the Merengues. By the 2022-23 season, he was playing for RSC Internacional FC, a team owned by Real Madrid that competes in the Second Division of the RFEF.
For Raúl, becoming a professional footballer was always the dream—but doing it in a Real Madrid shirt made it even more special. Now, at 21, that childhood dream has become a reality. Making his debut was an unforgettable moment—one he could hardly believe. From watching Madrid as a kid to wearing the famous white jersey, his journey has been nothing short of incredible.
During the 2023-24 season, Raúl Asencio cemented his place in Real Madrid Castilla before earning a well-deserved promotion to the first team. His talent and composure caught the attention of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who saw him as worthy of a first-team spot.
Ancelotti himself expressed his admiration, saying, “He surprises me, especially with his maturity and calmness. You never see him worried—he’s very confident.” The young defender had passed his biggest test, proving he belonged among Madrid’s elite.
Asencio’s debut was a moment to remember. Facing Osasuna, he didn’t just step onto the pitch—he made an impact, providing an assist for Jude Bellingham. After the match, he summed it up perfectly: “The big moment has finally arrived.”
And from that moment on, the rest, as they say, is history.
Untold Facts:
In this final section of Raúl Asencio’s biography, we’ll reveal some lesser-known facts about him. Get ready to discover more about his journey, his personal life, and the stories that shaped him.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Raúl Asencio’s Legal Battle: The Controversy That Threatened His Career
A few years ago, Raúl Asencio found himself caught up in controversy when he was involved in a crime related to the distribution of a sex video. This incident happened around the same time as his rise at Real Madrid, putting both his reputation and career at risk. In an effort to protect himself and his future in football, he sought legal protection.
In September 2023, Asencio, along with three other Real Madrid Castilla and Real Madrid C players—Ferran Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez, and Andrés Garcia—was arrested. The allegations stated that two of the players had filmed and shared a video of a sexual encounter involving an adult woman and a minor who had not given consent to be recorded. The case sent shockwaves through the football community, casting a shadow over Asencio’s promising career.
Raúl Asencio was accused of accessing the video and distributing it to another person. In January 2025, Spanish sports website Relevo reported that he was no longer under investigation in the case, bringing hope that he had been cleared.
However, in February 2025, a court in Gran Canaria rejected an appeal from Asencio’s lawyers to officially close the investigation. As a result, he remains indicted on child pornography charges, keeping his legal troubles unresolved.
Raúl Asencio’s FIFA Stats Before Fame
Before rising to fame, Raúl Asencio was relatively unknown in the gaming world. His FIFA card hardly did him justice, reflecting an underrated player with stats that didn’t match his real-life potential.
For someone who made it to the top through sheer determination and a winning mentality, it was almost laughable to see his mentality stats so low—not to mention his defensive rating, which should have been around 80. Instead, before his breakthrough, he was given a poor 67 overall rating and a 79 potential.
Now, having proven himself on football’s biggest stage, Asencio has shown the world that he deserves a major stats upgrade.
Raúl Asencio’s FIFA rating before fame—underrated but destined for greatness! Source: Capology
Raúl Asencio’s Religion
The Spanish Defender was born in Las Palmas, Spain, a region where the majority of the population follows Christianity, specifically Roman Catholicism. Given the deep-rooted Catholic traditions in Gran Canaria and Spain as a whole, it is likely that Asencio was raised in a Catholic household, though he has not publicly spoken about his religious beliefs.
Like many Spanish footballers, he may embrace Catholic customs and values, but unless he confirms his faith himself, it remains a personal matter.
End Note:
When you look into our article on Raúl Asencio’s history, you will notice that his story is one of ambition, resilience, and challenges. From a young dreamer in his homeland of Las Palmas to earning a spot at Real Madrid, his rise has been fueled by hard work and determination. Raúl Asencio has survived a life that has been marked by controversy, testing his character both on and off the pitch. Whether his career reaches even greater heights or takes an unexpected turn, one thing is certain. This rising Baller, Raúl Asencio has left his mark on football, and his story is far from over.
