Raul Asencio has shortened his recovery from a leg injury by around six weeks and hopes to be included in Real Madrid’s squad for their Champions League meeting with Arsenal on 9 December 2026.
The 23-year-old underwent surgery early last month to repair a crack in his shinbone. His initial recovery period was expected to last four months, taking him through to late January or early February 2027, but he has worked to bring forward his return.
According to AS, Asencio has been completing double training sessions at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground as he attempts to return ahead of schedule.
The defender has already begun wearing football boots, working on the grass and touching the ball. Those stages of his rehabilitation had originally been expected to begin during December.
Asencio is also targeting 16 December, when Real Madrid are due to play their first knockout match of this season’s Copa del Rey. Under the competition’s draw arrangements, and because it is the first knockout tie for a club competing in the Champions League, Real Madrid will face a team from either the Primera Federacion or Segunda Federacion.
The match should provide an opportunity for Asencio to take his first steps back into competitive football and regain the feeling of being a player again. He has described that as a particularly important source of pride after a career that has not always followed a straightforward path.
Asencio determined to return
In an interview with AS several weeks ago, Asencio said he had reflected on some of the mistakes he had made. He also said he would dedicate himself to defending the Real Madrid shirt with everything he had while protecting his dignity and value.
The young player is now hoping to rejoin first-team training after the next international break. His ambitions extend beyond the Copa del Rey, with a place in the squad for the Arsenal match on 9 December and Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Osasuna on 13 December also in his sights.
Osasuna were the opponents when Asencio made his first appearance at Santiago Bernabeu two years ago.
Jose Mourinho is said to be pleased with the player’s character and professionalism. That commitment was evident during Real Madrid’s historic Clasico victory, when Asencio travelled with his team-mates to show solidarity with the squad despite his injury.
He watched the match from the stands at Spotify Camp Nou, sitting directly behind the dugout occupied by Mourinho and his coaching staff.
Asencio was subjected to several insults inside Barcelona’s stadium but responded with maturity, choosing to smile and celebrate the significant Clasico win with his team-mates.
