Marco Asensio has made many lasting first impressions. Across the likes of La Liga, Champions League, European Super Cup, Copa del Rey and, most recently, the Spanish Super Cup, he has found the back of the net on his competition debut. Ice runs through his veins; the calmness and ease with which he operates verges on the side of frightening. And yet, as Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Valencia in their second match of the league campaign, his performance felt like a defining moment.
The ex-Mallorca youngster fired Los Blancos ahead early on, then clawed back a point from the jaws of defeat late in the match. In terms of influence on a game, his contributions would be hard to top. It was nothing new, with his previous goals providing a stellar track record and evidence of his talent, but this felt like a watershed moment – somewhat strangely, given that his first impact on Zinedine Zidane’s first-team squad came a year ago. It was a result which saw Asensio’s name shouted from the rooftops, the 21-year-old picking up his team and carrying them on his back.
His first strike was a well-directed, dipping effort which arrowed its way into Neto’s bottom-right corner, with the second coming in the form of a curling free-kick. While both finishes were outwardly demonstrative of his quality, his response to the task itself said more about what we can expect from the Spaniard going forward. Real Madrid needed Asensio on Sunday and he delivered, when others could not fulfil their duties in front of goal.
There are enough love letters written in the Madrid press to fill a bulging anthology. Rather than Los Blancos possessing a burgeoning talent for the future, they have a well-rounded and mature individual ready to shine in the here and now. He is not yet considered a guaranteed first-team starter but, just as Isco forced his way into Zinedine Zidane’s long-term plans last season, that discussion can’t be far off.
Gareth Bale was jeered off the pitch at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on the weekend; in contrast, Asensio is the Madrid faithful's sweetheart. His tender years and relative inexperience at the top level aren’t evident in his play. The ex-Mallorca youngster doesn’t exude confidence in an arrogant manner, but he still possesses an inward composure. He has felt comfortable in every scenario he has been thrown into, and might even have surprised himself with how seamless his transition from prospect to first-team star has been.
Comfortable both out wide, as a central attacking presence or deeper in midfield, Asensio has the skill set to excel in each role. The Spaniard has a fantastic change of pace, as well as the technical ability to ghost around players and pick a final ball. When afforded pockets of space to charge forward on the break, there are few in the division who can offer the same sense of danger and penetration. His left foot is lethal.
Whereas Karim Benzema and Bale struggled to make a noticeable impact against Valencia, Asensio led by example. The decision to allow the 21-year-old sole license over the 83rd-minute free kick that he promptly curled into the back of the net highlights the fact his peers recognise this it too.
In seasons gone by, it would have been Bale who was vying to take the occasional set-piece at Cristiano Ronaldo’s expense. This Sunday, there was not even an inkling of discussion, even with the latter forced to sit the game out due to suspension.
That scenario is representative of the wider context. There are no doubts, either within the Real Madrid camp or externally, that Asensio is both talented and mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with playing for such a big club. Regardless of his surroundings Asensio has the ability and mentality to stand out, rather than be swallowed by the noise. Inversely, his performances are threatening the importance of others - and Zidane will be well aware of that.
Often, hysteria can ensue following the explosion onto the scene of a young talent. After witnessing first-hand the fall from Zidane's favour of James Rodriguez, the standout player at the 2014 World Cup, the pitfalls of stardom are obvious yet simultaneously avoidable.
Asensio continues to prove time and time again that he is an obscenely talented footballer who is both willing and able to play a key role for the best club side in the world. And that is exactly what he should be allowed to do - on a full-time, first-team basis.
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