Marco Asensio put everyone on notice in Spain's crushing 6-0 victory over Croatia in the Nations League by bagging a brace but he's laid down that he's got ambitions for his club and international career.
The problem with being a Real Madrid player is that when you're really good there's still usually someone even better than you in the team, that was an issue for Marco Asensio with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Isco usually in front of him in the pecking order.
When Asensio joined Los Blancos first team in 2016, after a season on loan with Espanyol, big things were expected from him and in 23 appearances for the club in the league helped them to a first La Liga title in six years.
The Spaniard has also won two Champions League titles under Zinedine Zidane but with so much talent ahead of him he's not always been a first choice pick in the side.
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That is starting to change now that Cristiano Ronaldo has moved on and he's played almost every minute of Real's three La Liga games so far and started Spain's dismantling of Croatia.
Speaking to Panenka magazine he revealed he has ambitions at national and club level, starting with changing his number from 20, saying:
"I don't want to end my career still wearing the No.20 shirt - I think that explains everything about how I feel. Would I like to change it? Of course, we'll see what happens."
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He explained that life without Cristiano Ronaldo also adds to ambition, adding, "With or without Cristiano, I've been approaching the new season full of hope, with the intention of holding down a regular place in the side and playing a more important role. That seems to be happening - I've started the season well and I'm working well."
The 22 year old also explained his best nights with Los Blancos weren't the Champions League finals but in fact the moments at the Bernabeu leading up to them saying, "Champions League nights at the Bernabéu... No other matches compare with those - quarter-finals, semis, having to turn the tie around, needing to score a goal."
With one less superstar in his way in the Spanish capital it won't be long until he's no longer number 20.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Nations League, Marco Asensio, Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga