Constructive criticism or lack of camaraderie – Asencio’s errors trigger questions over Real Madrid’s team spirit | OneFootball

Real Madrid centre-back Raul Asencio has come under the spotlight for his performances in the FIFA Club World Cup, though not entirely for the reasons he might have hoped.

After giving away a penalty in the tournament opener against Al-Hilal and receiving a red card in the next match against Pachuca, Asencio has faced growing scrutiny.

The situation escalated further following harsh comments from his own teammate, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois holds nothing back

Asencio, to his credit, took to social media after the second incident to acknowledge his mistakes.

He admitted he was going through a tough spell but added that it was time “to work even harder if possible.” However, it wasn’t his response that grabbed headlines, as it was Courtois’ blunt reaction.

The Belgian goalkeeper didn’t shy away from criticising Asencio’s actions. After the Al Hilal game, Courtois called the penalty “something silly”. But his comments became even more direct during half-time against Pachuca.

Courtois was very critical of Raul Asencio. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

“It’s two games and twice the same mistake. They can be very light, but we must be smarter and not make that mistake,” he said, in a tone that left no room for doubt.

Divided reactions among fans

Courtois’ remarks have triggered mixed responses among Madrid supporters. Some fans feel that, in elite football, mistakes need to be addressed openly to push players towards growth.

For them, Courtois’ honesty is a positive trait, an example of leadership and high standards.

Others, however, worry that such public criticism could damage the morale of a young player like Asencio.

They argue that support is more constructive than public blame, especially for someone still trying to establish himself.

Comparisons have also been made to Federico Valverde, who took the opposite approach and offered messages of encouragement to the young defender.

As Real Madrid continue their campaign, how this team dynamic plays out could be crucial not just for Asencio’s development, but also for the cohesion of a squad.