Raúl Asencio, once hailed as one of Real Madrid’s most exciting defensive prospects, is now embroiled in one of the most controversial legal cases to hit Spanish football in years. The 22-year-old center-back, who rose rapidly through the ranks of Real Madrid’s youth academy and made his senior debut in 2024, now faces criminal charges related to the alleged distribution of explicit content involving a minor. This detailed account breaks down the key events, witness statements, legal proceedings, and the growing concerns that threaten to derail a once-promising career.
Born on February 13, 2003, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, Raúl Asencio del Rosario’s journey to the top was marked by perseverance and talent. After early stints with local sides Veteranos del Pilar and UD Las Palmas, he was scouted by Real Madrid and joined their youth system in 2017. Over the next few years, Asencio established himself as a commanding presence in the back line. His impressive speed, reaching a top sprint of 35.8 km/h during a Champions League match, turned heads across Europe.
By the 2023–24 season, he was a mainstay in Real Madrid B and quickly earned promotion to the senior team, making over 20 appearances across competitions by mid-2025. In March 2025, Asencio received his first call-up to the Spanish national team for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals. The trajectory was clear: a national team debut seemed imminent, and Europe’s elite clubs were starting to take notice.
But everything changed in September 2023.
The case began when the mother of a 16-year-old girl filed a police complaint in the Canary Islands. She reported that sexually explicit videos of her daughter had surfaced online and were being circulated through private messages among a group of young men. Her daughter, after being subjected to taunts and rumors at school, admitted that the videos had been recorded without her consent during a sexual encounter with one of the accused individuals.
The police launched an investigation that led to the arrest of four individuals: Ferran Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez, Andrés García, and Raúl Asencio—all of whom were associated with Real Madrid’s youth ranks at the time of the alleged incident in June 2023.
Initially, Asencio was summoned to testify as a witness. However, forensic analysis of WhatsApp messages and phone data revealed that he had received and subsequently shared the explicit video. This key discovery shifted his role in the case from a bystander to an active participant.
According to court records, investigators found digital communications in which the four young men casually referenced the video. The tone of the chats suggested that the players were aware the content involved a minor and had been recorded secretly. While the original video was allegedly captured by one of the co-defendants during a consensual encounter, the lack of consent for both recording and distribution is central to the legal charges.
Testimony from the 16-year-old girl has played a pivotal role in the case. She stated that she had no knowledge that she was being filmed and was horrified when classmates began referencing intimate details that could only have been known through the video.
Her mother, who filed the complaint, told investigators:
"My daughter came to me in tears. She was being humiliated at school, and when I saw the video myself, I was devastated. No child should go through that."
Additional witness accounts came from friends of the accused, some of whom confirmed receiving the video but deleted it soon after realizing its content.
Asencio’s legal team attempted to downplay his involvement, claiming he neither filmed nor deliberately distributed the content to the public. However, Spanish law is unequivocal on matters involving the distribution of explicit material of a minor—even within private groups. In May 2025, the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands rejected an appeal from Asencio’s lawyers to dismiss the case, affirming that sufficient evidence existed to proceed to trial.
He has since been formally charged with distribution of child pornography and is facing up to five years in prison if found guilty.
Real Madrid, a club with a global brand and a history of defending its players under scrutiny, issued a restrained public statement following the formal charges:
"We are aware of the legal developments involving Raúl Asencio. The club will allow the judicial process to take its course and will act accordingly once the outcome is known."
Despite the severity of the case, Asencio has continued training and appearing for the first team. This decision has sparked backlash from advocacy groups and commentators, who argue that it sends the wrong message about accountability and player conduct.
This case touches on broader issues within football culture—especially the misuse of digital platforms, consent, and the protection of minors. With high-profile athletes often idolized by millions, the implications of such legal proceedings extend far beyond the pitch. It also adds pressure on clubs and governing bodies to establish clearer standards and disciplinary protocols when players are implicated in criminal activity.
The Spanish judiciary has fast-tracked the case due to its sensitive nature, with a full trial expected in the coming months. Meanwhile, public scrutiny intensifies as supporters, critics, and legal experts await a verdict that could significantly impact the careers and reputations of those involved.
Raúl Asencio’s descent from rising star to indicted defendant is a cautionary tale about the power and peril of modern digital communication and the responsibilities that come with fame. While the legal system continues its work, the football world is left to reckon with the consequences of a case that blends sport, ethics, and the protection of vulnerable individuals in a digital age.
If convicted, Asencio’s career could come to a dramatic halt. If acquitted, he’ll still have to face a tarnished public image. Regardless of the outcome, the case has already changed the conversation around player behavior, accountability, and consent in elite sport.
