Marco Asensio now anchors the central attack for Luis Enrique at PSG, a shift that has exposed a lingering question for Real Madrid: did they part with the wrong piece? The Spaniard, once cast aside as a traditional forward, has emerged as a true central option in a system that rewards movement, timing, and scoring instincts from the middle of the pitch.
If there was a narrative about Real Madrid last season, it centered on how Carlo Ancelotti managed a squad short on reliable pure number nines. Karim Benzema’s injuries created a void, Rodrygo faced stoppages, and Álvaro Rodríguez, although he delivered a decisive late equalizer in a Madrid derby, missed the chance to stake a claim as a continual center-forward presence. The decision matrix at the Bernabéu pushed Asensio toward the flanks and even brief stints at right back, roles that constrained his natural attacking impact and perhaps his long-term value to the team.
From that perspective, a departure might have felt unavoidable. Ancelotti found himself weighing how much he could rely on a winger who could improvise solutions from wide areas against the fresh cost of an expensive substitute role if new signings filled up the attacking depth. The calculus was clear: Asensio’s versatility was valuable, but not in a squad where central certainty mattered more than hybrid aptitude. The move to leave him free appeared rational in the moment, even if the outcome would later invite scrutiny as Madrid watched his evolution elsewhere.
Now at PSG, Asensio has been reimagined in a role that suits his skill set well. Under Luis Enrique, he has been given room to operate in the center, a platform that highlights his timing, spatial awareness, and instinct for goal danger. In a compact run, he has posted multiple goal involvements and created chances consistently, reframing how his abilities can influence a team’s offensive rhythm. The shift has demonstrated that his value in the central corridor is real, and his performances have fed a broader narrative: a player’s career trajectory can be reshaped when the tactical environment aligns with their strengths. This development adds weight to the debate about Madrid’s decision and whether the club might have benefited from a different path with Asensio in the heart of the attack. The recent form suggests a stronger claim than ever that the Spaniard could have been a centerpiece rather than a peripheral option in Madrid’s plans. Source: Goal