Marco Asensio: The Journey of a Spanish Maestro
Marco Asensio is an amazing footballer with a wicked left foot. He has played at the highest level of football with legends such as Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo. Asensio has also played with elite talents like Mbappe, Lee Kang-In and Zaire-Emery.
Marco Asensio overcame growth deficiencies in his knees during his youth to pursue his love for football. His story is one of triumph over such issues and the loss of his mum to become a household name in football. Join us as we dive into the life and adventures of Marco Asensio.
Player Profile – Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio is a prominent Spanish footballer who plays for French Club PSG and is recognized for his technical prowess and versatility. He was born on January 21, 1996, in Palma, Mallorca. Asensio started his professional career with Mallorca before being signed by Real Madrid in 2014.
Asensio quickly made a name for himself at Real Madrid, known for his speed, dribbling, and powerful left foot. He has played a pivotal role in the team’s success, contributing to multiple La Liga titles and UEFA Champions League victories.
Internationally, Marco Asensio has represented Spain across various age levels, earning his place in the senior national team. His memorable goals and consistent performances have solidified his reputation as a key player.
Player Profile Overview
| Player Name | Marco Asensio Willemsen |
| Date of Birth | 21 January 1996 |
| Place of Birth | Calvia, Spain |
| Height | 1.82m |
| Weight | 170 pounds |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Current Club | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Position | Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Youth Career | Platges de Calvià Mallorca Spain U16 Spain U19 Spain U21 |
| Senior Career | Mallorca B Mallorca Real Madrid Mallorca Espanyol Paris Saint-Germain Spain Olympic Team Spain |
| Awards & Recognition | Segunda Division Player of the Month – October 2014 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Golden Player La Liga Breakthrough Player – 2015–16 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Silver Boot 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament 2017 UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI |
The Early Life of Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio was born on January 21, 1996, in Palma, Mallorca, Spain to Gilberto Asensio and Maria Willemsen. His father is of Spanish descent, while his mother was Dutch. From a young age, Asensio showed a natural talent for football, playing for local youth teams in Mallorca.
Marco Asensio’s love for football was apparent from an early age, his skills and potential quickly became evident to everyone, fans and scouts. Asensio faced several personal challenges, including the loss of his mother at a young age. However, Asensio’s determination and passion for football drove him forward.
Marco Asensio’s Playing Style
Marco Asensio is a versatile and dynamic player known for his technical skills, including excellent dribbling and passing abilities. He is also renowned for his long-range shooting and finishing prowess. The Spanish star is adept at scoring spectacular goals from distance and maintaining composure in front of goal.
Marco Asensio’s versatility is evident in his ability to play across different positions, adapting to various tactical setups with intelligent off-the-ball movement and defensive contribution.
With a keen sense of vision and creativity, he orchestrates plays and contributes to his team’s offensive efforts. Marco Asensio is also effective in deadball situations, often taking set pieces with precision.
His speed, agility, and balance make him a constant threat on counter-attacks, while his overall playing style combines technical proficiency, tactical intelligence, and physical capabilities, making him a valuable asset on the field.
Youth Career
Marco Asensio’s youth career began in his hometown of Palma, Mallorca, Spain, where he played for local club CF Platges de Calvià . His talent quickly caught the attention of scouts, leading to his recruitment by RCD Mallorca’s youth academy, La Academia.
Asensio continued to develop his skills within Mallorca’s youth setup. He impressed coaches and peers alike with his technical ability and footballing intelligence. Unsurprisingly, Marco Asensio quickly progressed through the ranks, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.
His standout performances for Mallorca’s youth teams eventually earned him a spot in the first team. This laid the foundation for his professional career and paved the way for his future success.
Marco Asensio’s Senior Career
Although Real Madrid and Barcelona scouted Marco Asensio, he opted to start his senior career with RCD Mallorca. Asensio made his senior debut for Mallorca’s reserves in the 2013-14 Tercera Division season. He made his first-team debut in a 1-3 Segunda Division loss to Recreativo de Huelva, playing the last six minutes.
He subsequently appeared as a substitute in a 0-0 draw against Lugo. His impressive performances earned him a promotion to the first team by manager José Luis Oltra.
Marco Asensio scored his first professional goal on March 16, 2014, contributing to a 2-0 victory over Tenerife. Under new coach Valeri Karpin, he became a regular starter, scoring against Osasuna, Deportivo Alaves, and Llagostera in quick succession.
Marco Asensio Signs for Real Madrid
On 24 November 2014, Real Madrid agreed in principle to sign Marco Asensio, officially announcing the deal on 5 December. Asensio, a childhood supporter of the club, signed a six-year contract for €3.9 million and was loaned back to his former club, Mallorca, for the rest of the season.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez credited tennis player Rafael Nadal with playing a crucial role in the transfer. In the 2015-16 season, Asensio was loaned to Espanyol, where he made a significant impact with 12 assists.
Returning to Real Madrid for the 2016-17 season, Asensio scored in his first competitive match, a 3-2 win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.
He played 23 league matches, scoring three goals, contributing to Real Madrid’s first La Liga championship win since 2012.
Asensio and Casemiro scored a goal apiece with Cristiano Ronaldo bagging a brace in the Champions League final against Juventus. The victory helped secure the club’s 12th UEFA Champions League title.
Winning More Trophies with Los Blancos
Marco Asensio scored his first goal of the 2017–18 season with a 25-yard strike in a 3–1 win over Barcelona in the Supercopa de España. He followed that up with another spectacular goal in the second leg, securing a 5–1 aggregate victory.
He extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2023 on 28 September 2017. Asensio contributed a brace in a 5–3 win over Real Betis on 18 February 2018, marking Real Madrid’s 6,000th goal in La Liga.
During the 2017–18 Champions League, he made 11 appearances, scoring once, as Real Madrid won their third consecutive and 13th overall title.
In the 2019–2023 seasons, Marco Asensio tore his ACL in a preseason match against Arsenal on 24 July 2019 but returned on 19 June 2020 to score and assist in a 3–0 win over Valencia. He scored three goals in nine games as Real Madrid won the 2019–20 La Liga.
On 22 September 2021, he netted his first senior hat-trick in a 6–1 victory over Mallorca. He was on the bench during Real Madrid’s 14th UEFA Champions League title win against Liverpool on 28 May 2022.
Asensio finished the 2021–22 season with 10 goals in 30 La Liga games, contributing to another La Liga title. On 3 June 2023, Real Madrid announced Asensio would leave the club upon his contract’s expiry, making him a free agent.
Marco Asensio Joins PSG as a Free Agent
On 6 July 2023, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) signed Marco Asensio on a contract until June 2026 playing alongside Kylian Mbappe. He debuted in a 0–0 draw against Lorient at the Parc des Princes on 12 August.
In his second match, Asensio scored his first PSG goal in a 3–1 home win over Lens. He continued his strong start by scoring and assisting in a 4–1 victory against Lyon on 3 September.
He won the Ligue 1 title with PSG in his debut season. Asensio featured in 19 Ligue 1 matches and scored 5 goals, creating 4 goals in the process.
International career
Marco Asensio, of Dutch and Spanish descent, chose to represent Spain despite an invitation from the Royal Dutch Football Association. He started his international career with the Spanish U17 side before progressing to the senior side.
After regular appearances for Spain’s youth teams, he debuted for the under-21 team on 26 March 2015. Asensio also featured prominently for Spain during the 2015 UEFA U19 Championship in Greece. Marco Asensio scored twice in the semi-final en route to winning the competition and won the Golden Player Award.
On 17 May 2016, Asensio was called up to the senior team and debuted on 29 May in a 3–1 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the 2017 European Under-21 Championship, he scored a hat-trick in his debut, leading to a 5–0 victory over Macedonia, and helped Spain reach the final, where they lost 1–0 to Germany.
Playing For Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Marco Asensio was included in Julen Lopetegui’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He made his debut in the tournament on 20 June. Asensio came on as a substitute to replace Lucas Vazquez in the final ten minutes of Spain’s 1–0 group-stage victory against Iran.
Asensio scored his first goal for Spain on 11 September 2018, in a UEFA Nations League match. He played the full game and scored the second goal in Spain’s 6–0 home win over Croatia. Asensio was heavily involved in the play which resulted in an own goal by Croatian goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić.
In July 2021, Marco Asensio was selected as one of the overage players for Spain’s under-23 team at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He played a key role in the squad, providing experience and skill to the team competing in Tokyo.
In November 2022, Asensio was named in Spain’s final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He started in Spain’s opening match against Costa Rica, scoring the second goal in a dominant 7–0 victory. Asensio’s performance helped set the tone for Spain’s campaign in the tournament.
The Personal Life of Marco Asensio
Away from the football pitch, Asensio loves music and is a fan of pop icon Michael Jackson. He also loves to travel and visit beautiful places and Asensio also enjoys playing video games.
Marco Asensio has a wonderful relationship with Sandra Garal. The couple have been together for four years and got married in July 2023. His wife, Sandra Garal is from Spain like Asensio and is also a fashion enthusiast and lifestyle blogger.
Asensio is also a philanthropist, he set up the Marco Asensio Foundation. The foundation is a charity dedicated to supporting children with cancer and their families. During his wedding, rather than gifts for the couple, Asensio and his wife asked guests to contribute to the foundation.
Conclusion
Marco Asensio’s football career is marked by numerous achievements. Off the field, he enjoys a happy life with Sandra Garal.
With several trophies in his cabinet and his new adventure with PSG in France, Asensio will continue to write more chapters in his football story. Footballers’ Biographies will pen down the future adventures of the Spanish maestro.
