Real Madrid president Florentino Perez reportedly issued a subtle warning to Marco Asensio before the winger left the club as a free agent in 2023 to join Paris Saint-Germain.

According to a recent report from Real Madrid Confidencial, Perez’s message to Asensio was clear: “If you leave, you will regret it.”

Despite this caution, Asensio chose to move on from the club and sign with PSG. Since then, his career trajectory has taken a downward turn, confirming that Perez’s warning might have been right after all.

Over the years, Real Madrid has seen several players depart, some of whom have left a lasting impact, while others have faded from memory. Asensio’s exit, however, remains one of the more memorable ones.

Having joined Real Madrid in 2016, Asensio played an integral role in the team’s success, including three consecutive Champions League titles.

His contributions were significant, and he earned the trust and respect of his teammates and coaches. His departure from such a high point in his career seemed like a bold move, but in hindsight, it appears to have been a poor decision.

Tough times at PSG
At PSG, Asensio has found it difficult to secure a regular starting position. Over the past seven matches, he has played only 18 minutes, and his lack of involvement in key fixtures suggests that Luis Enrique has lost faith in him.

Despite having a contract with PSG until 2026, Asensio’s future at the club now seems uncertain. His current situation is a far cry from the prominence he enjoyed at Real Madrid, where he was a crucial part of the squad.

Asensio’s options are limited, as returning to Real Madrid is no longer a viable choice. With his contract tying him to PSG, the Spaniard has no choice but to fight for his place in the team.

However, his chances of making a meaningful comeback at PSG appear slim, leaving him with a difficult road ahead.

Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-2 on Sunday in 39-year-old veteran right winger and full-back Jesus Navas’ last game as a professional footballer.

The Sevilla captain came off the bench in the second half as the crowd at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium paid tribute to him.

Navas played 705 games to score 39 goals for Sevilla and made 119 assists for his club across two spells. He helped Sevilla win four UEFA Europa League titles.

Navas also won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the EURO 2012 and 2024 titles with his native Spain.

He also played for Manchester City to bag the 2014 English Premier League title.

In Sunday’s home game against Sevilla, Real Madrid drew first blood as The Whites’ French superstar Kylian Mbappe scored a long-range stunner.

Real Madrid’s Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde also sent a long-range missile towards the goal to double the gap in the 20th minute.

Brazilian winger Rodrygo made it 3-0 for Real Madrid only a minute before Sevilla striker Isaac Romero scored a header.

Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz finished in the box following fine teamwork in the 53rd minute, making it 4-1.

On a quick counterattack, Sevilla’s Dodi Lukebakio scored a low shot that beat Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 85th minute, making it 4-2.

Winners Real Madrid leapfrogged their bitter rivals Barcelona into second place in the Spanish La Liga table.

Atletico Madrid have 41 points in 18 matches to end 2024 as the Spanish leaders.

Their city rivals Real Madrid have 40 points. Meanwhile, Barcelona are third with 38 points after they lost to Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a Saturday home match.

The La Liga is set to enter the Christmas break to observe the annual holy festival, and there will be no football fixtures in the Spanish top division for the rest of this year.

The league will see the Valencia vs. Real Madrid fixture at Mestalla Stadium on Jan. 3, as the matchweek 12 game was previously postponed due to Storm Dana.

In the 18th week of the Spanish La Liga, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona faced off in a thrilling and intense match.

After a closely contested game, Atletico emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, securing three crucial points and overtaking Barcelona at the top of the league standings. The match featured highquality football, with both teams demonstrating their strengths.

Atletico Madrid capitalized on key opportunities, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience. Barcelona fought hard to equalize but fell short in the end, leaving their fans disappointed.

This result proved decisive in shaking up the league standings. With the win, Atletico Madrid climbed to the top of the table with 41 points, while Barcelona, who had been leading the league, slipped to second place.

Atletico Madrid’s victory highlights their impressive form this season as they continue to be a strong contender for the La Liga title. Meanwhile, Barcelona will need to regroup quickly to reclaim their position at the top as the competition intensifies in the latter stages of the league. Fans and analysts alike have praised Atletico’s performance in this key match, which showcased their determination and tactical discipline.

Barcelona, on the other hand, will be reflecting on missed opportunities and planning their next steps to regain momentum in the league.

As the race for the La Liga title heats up, both teams remain strong contenders, promising more excitement for football fans around the world.

The Kabul Times