Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti signaled focus on tomorrow’s match against Alavés (kick-off 21:30) as Raúl Asencio, a 20-year-old Real Madrid Castilla defender, remained at the center of serious allegations reported by El Confidencial regarding alleged disclosures and child pornography. The case involves several players connected to the Madrid area and mentions that the investigation targets actions around a Las Palmas de Gran Canaria entertainment venue where events unfolded, according to La Provincia, a sister publication within the Prensa Ibérica group.
The complaint targets Ferrán Ruiz and Juan Rodríguez for allegedly recording sexual acts involving a 16-year-old minor. Andrés García was detained for sexual activity with an adult woman who allegedly did not appear, while Asencio was questioned because he was present near the same venue when the recordings reportedly occurred. He was seen at a pool with a third woman alongside the other individuals involved.
Four young men met three women during a holiday at an entertainment resort in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. At one point, Asencio went for a bath with one of the women while the others stayed in a cabin with Ferrán Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez and Andrés García. Although the sexual encounters were described as consensual, the recordings and the alleged crime did not involve a wider disseminated group dynamic as reported.
At the moment of the arrest, Real Madrid stated it was aware of the situation and would refrain from action until the case reached a resolution. Since the complaint and arrest, Asencio has continued to play for Real Madrid Castilla, under the management of Raúl González, without interruption.
The midfielder accumulated more than 1,230 minutes across 14 matches for a Castilla squad that finished tenth in the RFEF Primera Federación, the third tier of Spanish football. The second Real Madrid reserve squad also features Ferrán Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez and Andrés García, who were backed by Pau Quesada on a team that led its group in the third tier.
✅ We have been called! @Alaves#AlavesRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/vg6xsEKOvv
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) December 20, 2023
Asencio’s ascent through Real Madrid’s youth system
Asencio joined Real Madrid’s youth academy in 2017 after leaving UD Las Palmas. His strong performances in the reserve squads and the need for defensive depth at Real Madrid led Carlo Ancelotti to call him up. With Alaba sidelined by a recent knee operation and Militao recovering from an early-season injury, Nacho Fernández and Antonio Rüdiger remained as the trusted centre-backs for lead roles. Asencio would be the only reserve defender on the coach’s Mendizorroza bench, illustrating the club’s willingness to promote from within when the situation demanded it.
The case is under review by Court No. 3 of San Bartolomé de Tirajana in Gran Canaria. The Prosecutor’s Office will determine the legal status of the allegations or pursue dismissal if innocence is shown. In the event of a trial, the young players will appear in court. Asencio’s defense team remains hopeful for a dismissal.
Ancelotti’s decision to bring Castilla players into the first-team frame
Information cited by El Mundo indicates the Castilla defender’s lawyers argue he was not in the cabin and that a witness claimed to have seen the explicit video on his phone. Asencio has repeatedly featured in first-team training sessions and has been integrated into preparations alongside senior players.
Ancelotti, a coach who typically leans toward established first-team selections, chose to include Castilla’s young talent among the squad named for a recent match against Villarreal. Vinicius Tobias joined the group, with Fran González, Nico Paz, and Gonzalo among the others called up to complement the tactical plan. The decision demonstrates the Real Madrid coaching staff’s ongoing emphasis on developing homegrown players while balancing competitive demands.