Nadal influenced my move – Asensio

Marco Asensio has confirmed stories that Real Madrid fan and champion tennis star Rafael Nadal was behind his move to the Bernabeu.

The 21-year-old joined Los Blancos from Real Mallorca in 2015 and it has long been reported that Mallorca-born Nadal – who’s uncle Miguel Angel played for Barcelona – spoke to Madrid president Florentino Perez to help seal the deal.

Asensio confirmed these reports on Real Madrid TV when questioned over his move: "That story is true, he called Florentino and told him to snap me up.

"That winter [2014] my agent told me that Real Madrid were interested in me.

“Several clubs were calling and it was a bit hectic, but one day before a game Florentino called me and said I was going to be a Real Madrid player.

"It all happened in a single day: we went to Madrid, I signed the contract, we were shown round the Bernabeu and Valdebebas and then we went back to Mallorca to finish the season.

"It all happened very quickly and it was intense, but I felt a huge sense of satisfaction."

Tags Marco Asensio Rafael Nadal Real Mallorca
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