It’s been 320 days since Raúl Asencio took part in his first preseason training session under Carlo Ancelotti, and now he returns to the United States, this time as a fully-fledged first-team player, for the Club World Cup. Over the past year, the Spanish center-back has rapidly risen through the ranks, transforming into one of the most promising young defenders in Europe. His market value has soared, marking one of the most dramatic growths for a Real Madrid academy product in recent history.

Back in July, when Asencio boarded the flight to Chicago, Transfermarkt listed his market value at €300,000. That summer trip, intended to temporarily cover for injuries in defense, ended up being a turning point. His performances during the Soccer Champions Tour impressed Ancelotti’s coaching staff, who took the opportunity to closely evaluate the young defender’s potential.

Despite interest from multiple professional clubs across Spain and Europe, Real Madrid rejected all loan or transfer offers. They were convinced of his unique potential, even though he had yet to feature regularly for the senior team. He made his debut against AC Milan, playing 45 minutes, and added another appearance against Chelsea.

Since then, Asencio has played 42 matches, totaling 3,066 minutes. His market value has rocketed to €40 million, cementing him as one of Europe’s most valuable young defenders. The reward came swiftly: a contract renewal through 2031, a salary increase, and a staggering €1 billion release clause. As the Club World Cup kicks off, his next challenge is to secure a regular starting spot under new manager Xabi Alonso.

A symbolic shift also awaits him. After the tournament, Asencio will finally move on from the No. 35 shirt—a number usually assigned to youth players. Options like 18 and 25 are available now, but even more attractive numbers could become free soon, with veterans like Modric (No. 10) and Lucas Vázquez (No. 17) expected to vacate theirs. This number shuffle could reflect Asencio’s full integration into Real Madrid’s senior squad.

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