Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio has suffered a fresh setback after a Gran Canaria court convicted him of driving under the influence of alcohol, heightening the pressure surrounding the player at a time when his sporting role within the club has hit a low point.
The incident dates back to August 16, when police stopped the player in the southern part of Gran Canaria. He appeared in court three days later for a fast-track trial, where he admitted to the charges and expressed remorse for his actions.
The court fined Asencio €14,400 (at a rate of €120 per day for four months) and suspended his driver’s license for eight months after the defender accepted the penalty requested by the prosecution.
The verdict came to light hours before the Spanish defender was due to appear in court for a separate case concerning explicit videos filmed in 2023 without consent—a case that also implicates three former Real Madrid academy players.
According to Spanish reports, Asencio did not film or appear in the recordings, but he stands accused of showing one of the clips to a third party. The prosecution previously sought a prison sentence exceeding two years alongside fines and compensation, though reports suggest the penalty may be reduced or the custodial sentence dropped if he issues a formal apology to the victims. The case remains ongoing.
On the pitch, Asencio has not featured in any matches for Real Madrid this season after sustaining two pre-season injuries, including a muscle tear in his right rectus femoris, which prevented him from regaining match fitness and entering José Mourinho’s tactical plans.
The defender’s standing has dropped further down the pecking order behind Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konaté, and Antonio Rüdiger. Compounded by Mourinho’s desire to recruit a new center-back, club management had opened the door for Asencio’s departure during the transfer window.
However, Real Madrid’s attempts to offload the player were unsuccessful due to the lack of official offers meeting the club’s valuation, alongside Asencio’s desire to remain and prove his worth.
His latest conviction further complicates his future, leaving the young defender facing the uphill task of overcoming both physical injuries and legal troubles to reclaim his place in the team.
