Mourinho sends stern warning to Raúl Asencio: “A Real Madrid player is one 24 hours a day”

Real Madrid went through an uncomfortable day. Four former academy players sat in the dock over the distribution of sexually explicit videos recorded in 2023, when the two girls involved were underage. Ferrán Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez and Andrés García made the recordings; Raúl Asencio, now a first-team centre-back, was accused of sharing that intimate material without consent.

• Four former Real Madrid academy players were tried for recording and distributing intimate images of two minors in 2023.
• Raúl Asencio was cleared after the victims dropped the charges by video conference.
• José Mourinho publicly criticised his player's string of mistakes and reminded him that responsibility does not end outside the dressing room.
• The defender is also serving an eight-month driving ban for driving with four times the legal alcohol limit in the Canary Islands.
• Asencio remains injured and has not had to face the media.

Asencio cleared in trial over disclosure of secrets

The legal case came to an end after the two victims, who spoke by video conference from the court in Las Palmas, said they forgave the four defendants. The agreement between the parties spared Asencio from facing a conviction for disclosure of secrets. Withdrawing the private prosecution gives the defender legal relief, but the episode does not disappear from his personal record.

The reputational damage remains. Even though the criminal route is now closed, having his name linked to the distribution of intimate images of two minors leaves a mark that no favourable ruling can fully remove. A first-team player at Real Madrid is judged on every step he takes, and these episodes do not vanish simply because lawyers reached a settlement.

Mourinho's public warning after the scandal

Mourinho did not look away. In his press conference, the Portuguese coach took the opportunity to send a direct message to the squad and especially to Raúl Asencio. Without explicitly naming the court case, he made it clear that the margin for error for a Real Madrid player is minimal.

We all make mistakes, but accumulating them is a different thing. A Real Madrid player is a Real Madrid player 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. What you do outside is still Real Madrid and damages the prestige of an untouchable club. I am not happy.

The quote is a full warning. Mourinho wanted to remind Asencio, and the rest of the squad along with him, that the club's demands do not stop after 90 minutes on the pitch. Every decision away from football affects the club's image, and a series of negative episodes can shape a career.

Eight-month driving ban for exceeding alcohol limit by four times

The court case is not the only open front for the academy graduate. A day before the acquittal became known, it emerged that Asencio had lost his driving licence for eight months. The reason: driving with an alcohol level four times above the legal limit, also in the Canary Islands.

The combination of both events within just a few hours does not reflect well on the player. The courts gave him a favourable exit in the images case, but the administrative sanction for drink-driving admits no nuance. A footballer trying to establish himself at the top level cannot afford that kind of off-field record.

Asencio injured and under no obligation to face the cameras

The injury Raúl Asencio is carrying has allowed him to stay away from the spotlight during the storm. Not being available to play also means he has not had to expose himself publicly or answer uncomfortable questions about his situation. That gives him breathing room, but it also delays the moment of facing reality.

Mourinho's message arrives at a key moment. The centre-back now has the chance to prove he is ready to change course. His footballing talent is undeniable; the question is whether he can handle everything that surrounds top-level football. Many promising careers have been derailed by issues away from the pitch, and Real Madrid rarely waits too long.

Frequently asked questions about the Raúl Asencio case