Real Madrid centre-back Raul Asencio has been called up to Spain’s senior squad for the first time despite an ongoing investigation into an allegation he shared a sex tape of a minor.
Asencio had never been part of Spain’s youth squads but has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Madrid, making 29 first-team appearances since his debut in November.
The 22-year-old has been a regular for Madrid this season after long-term injuries to Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, featuring alongside Antonio Rudiger in the centre of defence.
On February 11, The Athletic reported that Asencio is still under investigation — along with three other former Real Madrid youth players — for allegedly sharing a sex tape involving two women that was recorded in Gran Canaria in the summer of 2023 after a Spanish court rejected an appeal to have him acquitted of the case.
Among notable exclusions from the squad are Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde and his club team-mate Gavi, although Barca centre-back Inigo Martinez is back in the squad having recovered from injury.
There is also no place for Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, who was included in the country’s Under-21 squad instead, and Real Betis playmaker Isco.
Spain play the Netherlands in their Nations League quarter-final, with the first leg in Rotterdam on March 20 and the return game in Valencia three days later.
𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 | Lista de convocados para los cuartos de final de la #UEFANationsLeague.
La Selección Española se enfrenta a Países Bajos a doble partido los días 20 y 23 de marzo de 2025.
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— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 14, 2025
De La Fuente continues to make big calls
Analysis by Pol Ballus
As expected, Luis de la Fuente trusted national team experience and has kept together the unit that led Spain to success at the 2024 European Championship in Germany — but there are still some big names missing.
Real Madrid’s young centre-back Asencio’s inclusion is the most notable. The 22-year-old has made the cut after an excellent run of form for Madrid following injuries to other players in the position for Spain such as Aymeric Laporte and Dani Vivian. But it was a bold call from De La Fuente to select him over the Dutch-born Huijsen, who is enjoying an outstanding season at Bournemouth and could still be eligible to play for his country of birth.
Martinez is returning to the national team for the first time since March last year — and deservedly so, but another Barca star in great form was not so lucky. Balde was left out of the squad, with De La Fuente trusting Marc Cucurella and Alejandro Grimaldo at left-back.
Among the biggest doubts in midfield was whether Gavi would be included — a fundamental piece in De La Fuente’s plans until he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury playing with Spain in 2023. The 20-year-old is struggling to find a place in Hansi Flick’s Barca starting line-up, and De la Fuente left him out.
It was the same situation for Isco. The 32-year-old’s inclusion would have pleased nostalgia lovers, representing a beautiful comeback story for a player who is in top form with Real Betis. He missed the Euros last summer through injury, and now is back at his best level. But De La Fuente still cannot envisage a place for him, especially with Pedri, Alex Baena and Dani Olmo in good form too.
(Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
