Fakayejo Paul
The 2-1 victory over Benfica was bittersweet for Real Madrid fans as they witnessed a frightening moment in the 77th minute involving rising star Raúl Asencio.
The young center-back was stretchered off in a neck brace following a violent aerial collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga, leaving the stadium in stunned silence.
Asencio fell awkwardly, appearing to hit his head and neck on the turf. The immediate application of a neck brace was a vital precautionary measure by the medical staff to prevent any potential damage to the cervical spine while the extent of the injury was unknown.
The Latest Update
There is a massive collective sigh of relief coming out of Valdebebas today. Following the match, reports from El Chiringuito and Marca confirmed that Asencio was conscious and stable upon arrival at the hospital.
The player himself took to Instagram this morning to reassure fans, calling the incident “just a scare” and thanking everyone for their support. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa echoed this, noting that while the fall looked “horrific,” the initial tests suggest the issue involves the neck area but is not as serious as first feared.
Recovery Outlook
While Asencio is in high spirits, the club will likely follow strict concussion and spinal protocols:
- Best Case: If tests continue to be clear, he could return to the squad as early as Monday’s derby against Getafe.
- Cautionary Approach: Given the intensity of the impact, Arbeloa may opt to rest him for 7–10 days to ensure no delayed symptoms occur, especially with David Alaba now available to fill the void.
For a Real Madrid defense already missing Eder Militão and Dean Huijsen, having Asencio escape serious injury is perhaps the biggest “win” of the night.