Asencio gives Real Madrid fans the all-clear after scary injury scare vs Benfica
Raúl Asencio was stretchered off with a neck brace during Real Madrid's Champions League win over Benfica, but the defender has since confirmed he's fine.
Real Madrid got through to the Champions League last 16, but the night ended on a worrying note as young centre-back Raúl Asencio left the Bernabéu on a stretcher — thankfully, though, it looks like the scare was worse than the actual damage.
What happened on the pitch
Late in the match against Benfica, Asencio went up for an aerial ball and clashed with his own teammate Eduardo Camavinga. It was one of those horrible collisions that makes the whole ground go quiet — the sort where you’re holding your breath waiting for the player to move.
He didn’t get up under his own steam. Madrid’s medical staff were on the pitch for over five minutes attending to him, and when he did eventually leave the field, it was on a stretcher and with a neck brace fitted. Not a great look, to put it mildly.
David Alaba came on to fill in at centre-back for the remainder of the game.
The nervous wait
Asencio was taken to hospital after the final whistle so that the relevant tests could be carried out and the full extent of any injury properly assessed. As you’d expect, there was a fair bit of anxiety among the Madrid fanbase while everyone waited for news.
Madrid Castilla head coach Álvaro Arbeloa — who’s been overseeing the first team during this period — did his best to calm things down after the match, saying it seemed to be something with the neck but didn’t appear serious.
The player himself puts minds at rest
The best news came directly from Asencio himself, who took to Instagram to let everyone know he was alright. His message was short, upbeat and exactly what supporters needed to see:
“Thanks for all the messages of support! It was just a scare.”
He also made sure to celebrate Madrid qualifying for the next round — which, fair play to him, is pretty good vibes considering he’d just been carted off to hospital.
The bigger picture
A few things worth noting here:
- Asencio has been a revelation this season — the 21-year-old has stepped up massively in the absence of key defensive personnel and Madrid will be well chuffed he’s seemingly in the clear
- Camavinga will no doubt be relieved too — these accidental collisions between teammates are always grim for everyone involved
- Madrid are through to the last 16 — so despite the late drama, the job got done on the night
All being well, it sounds like Asencio will live to fight another day. Madrid fans can breathe again — and the lad himself seems in good spirits, which is the main thing.