Just when it looked like Raul Asencio was making his long-awaited breakthrough with Real Madrid, serious legal troubles are threatening to overshadow his football career.
The 22-year-old defender, who has featured in 22 matches for the club this season, is now facing criminal charges in Spain — and they’re extremely serious.
Court Moves Forward with Child Pornography Case
A Spanish court has officially opened criminal proceedings against Asencio for his alleged role in a disturbing case involving the recording and distribution of explicit content.
He isn’t the only one in the spotlight — three of his former Real Madrid youth teammates, Ferran Ruiz, Andres Martin, and Juan Rodriguez, are also facing charges.
The incident in question dates back to June 2023.
The four are accused of filming and sharing a sexually explicit video involving an 18-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl without their consent.
The video allegedly circulated on WhatsApp.
Trauma and Consent at the Heart of the Case
According to reports, both women involved are showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Spanish media outlet AS revealed that investigators will share their findings with the women so they can decide whether to formally press charges — although the public prosecutor’s office can also proceed independently.
The mother of the 16-year-old girl is already on record as having filed a complaint, specifically regarding the non-consensual recording of her daughter.
While the sexual encounter itself may have been consensual, the issue lies in the alleged unauthorized filming and distribution of the footage.
Charges That Could Lead to Jail Time
The High Court of Gran Canaria believes there is sufficient evidence to support multiple allegations: breach of privacy, distribution of explicit content without consent, solicitation of a minor for pornographic purposes, and possession of child pornography.
Under Spain’s criminal code, filming and sharing explicit videos of minors can result in prison terms ranging from 3.5 to 5 years.
If the court finds the players guilty of recording without consent but not distribution, the sentence could drop slightly to 2.5 to 4 years.
Asencio’s legal team had previously tried to have the case against him thrown out in February, but a judge ruled the investigation should continue.
Asencio Speaks Out Amid Career Breakthrough
Despite the legal cloud hanging over him, Asencio has tried to stay focused on football.
Following his first call-up to the Spanish national team, he addressed the case in an interview with RTVE.
“I think everyone knows what they are doing.
For that reason, I am very calm,” he said.
“I live day by day… I’m someone who has grown up under pressure at Real Madrid, so I use it as motivation.”
Still, the pressure he’s used to on the pitch is nothing compared to what’s coming off it.
If found guilty, Asencio could see his career halted entirely, just as it’s beginning to take flight.
A Troubled Season for Los Blancos
The timing couldn’t be worse.
Real Madrid are in the midst of a trophy-less season, and Asencio had hoped his strong performances could be a silver lining.
Now, the club and fans alike are facing more questions than answers — about their season and the serious allegations surrounding one of their own.