Real Madrid confirmed yesterday that Marco Asensio will depart the club after failing to agree to terms on a new contract.
The Spanish winger leaves Los Blancos following an eight-year spell that included three Champions League titles and three La Liga trophies.
Negotiations over Asensio’s renewal began last summer but stalled due to differences over financial conditions between the player and club.
According to reports, a similar issue ultimately led to the breakdown in talks this time around as Asensio sought higher wages than Real Madrid were willing to offer.
Asensio’s playing time and role within the team also played a part in his exit. The 27-year-old wanted assurances that he would feature regularly in the starting lineup, something manager Carlo Ancelotti could not guarantee.
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Despite making just 15 starts in La Liga this season, Asensio appeared in 30 matches and contributed nine goals and six assists, averaging nearly 50 minutes per game.
He also created nine big chances and averaged over one key pass per match, indicating his importance to the team.
However, it seems the lure of a bigger role and paycheck with Paris Saint-Germain, where he is rumored to be heading, proved too strong to ignore.
Marco Asensio’s Bittersweet Goodbye to Real Madrid
Asensio has been an instrumental figure in Real Madrid’s success over the past eight seasons. His departure will be felt both on and off the pitch as he says farewell to the club he has called home since 2014.
All eyes will be on Ancelotti to see if Asensio earns a starting berth in Sunday’s match against Athletic Club for one final bow at the Santiago Bernabeu. Whatever the case, the Spaniard’s contributions to Real Madrid’s glittering recent history will not soon be forgotten.
