Raúl Asencio has been called up by the Spanish National Team for the first time. The Real Madrid defender has been named in Luis de la Fuente's squad to play in the Nations League quarter final clash with the Netherlands. The first leg will be played in Rotterdam on March 20th, with the return coming at Mestalla on the 23rd. Both games kick off at 8:45 pm CET.

After learning of his call-up, Asencio expressed his joy on Realmadrid TV: “It’s incredibly exciting, it's a dream for any kid who plays football. Getting the chance to represent your country is the most beautiful, special thing there is. Thanks to everything I've achieved recently with Real Madrid, I've been given the opportunity, so I'm going to enjoy it, learn and take in the experience”.

First team
"It's incredible. Living day to day with all my teammates, the coaching and backroom staff are experiences that I enjoy to the fullest. I try to learn every day and I hope it never ends.”

The fastest defender in the Champions League
"We work every day here with the whole coaching staff, with Antonio Pintus and all the fitness team. It's a key attribute in my position which has always stood out in my game. I'm going to try to beat that figure and achieve more goals like this”.

Other madridistas on international duty

So far, Modrić (Croatia), Courtois (Belgium), Camavinga, Tchouameni and Mbappé (France), Rüdiger (Germany), Bellingham (England), Alaba (Austria), Lunin (Ukraine), Brahim (Morocco) and Vini Jr. and Rodrygo (Brazil) have also been called up for international duty in March.