In the summer of 2023, a scandal erupted with the force of a hurricane, shaking Real Madrid—the most decorated football club in the world—to its core.

At the center of the storm was Raúl Asencio, a 22-year-old promising defender from the club’s famed youth academy.

His rising career was overshadowed by serious allegations involving the dissemination of child pornography and violation of privacy.

What began as a casual summer gathering on a beach in Gran Canaria quickly spiraled into a judicial case that exposed the fragile boundaries of consent, privacy, and responsibility in the digital age.

This article tells the complete story of Raúl Asencio: the events of June 15, 2023; the investigation that uncovered a web of reckless decisions; the devastating impact on the victims; the trajectory of a young footballer under immense pressure; the polarized public reaction; and the broader questions this case raises about modern football and society.

The story begins on the sun-drenched sands of Amadores Beach in Mogán, Gran Canaria—a paradise of crystal-clear waters and golden sand that draws tourists and locals alike.

On June 15, 2023, four young footballers from Real Madrid’s Castilla team—Raúl Asencio, Ferrán Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez, and Andrés García, aged 20 and 21—were enjoying a rare day off after an intense season.

The four promising talents, all products of the legendary Real Madrid youth academy known as “La Fábrica,” were relaxing at the Beach Club of Amadores, a lively venue with pools, music, and a festive atmosphere.

They met three young women, two of whom were 18 and 16 years old.

The group spent the day laughing, swimming, and reveling in the carefree spirit of youth.

During their conversations, the youngest girl’s age—16—was mentioned and noted by all present.

As the day progressed, the group’s dynamics shifted unexpectedly.

Ferrán Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez, and Andrés García decided to move to a private cabin within the Beach Club, seeking intimacy.

There, consensual sexual relations took place according to initial statements.

Raúl Asencio, however, chose to remain by the general pool area with the third girl, not participating in the encounter or the scandal that would soon unfold.

Inside the cabin, the three footballers made a decision that would change their lives forever.

Without the knowledge or consent of the young women, they recorded the sexual encounter on a mobile phone.

These explicit images were not confined to private viewing; they were stored on the players’ devices, opening the door to a dissemination no one foresaw.

When the young women discovered the recording, they demanded its immediate deletion.

The footballers ignored their requests, allowing the material to remain stored, an act that seemed trivial at the time but would soon have devastating consequences.

Days later, on June 21, Raúl Asencio contacted Juan Rodríguez, one of the players who had recorded the video, and asked him to send it.

Fully aware that the video included a minor and had been recorded without consent, Rodríguez sent the material via WhatsApp using the “view once” feature, which deletes the content after a single viewing.

However, Asencio did not limit himself to watching the video privately.

He later admitted to showing it to a friend—a third party who would become a key witness in the investigation.

This friend confirmed to authorities that Asencio had shown him the explicit content and described the presence of the minor.

Furthermore, in a voice message sent days later, Asencio acknowledged sharing the video, a crucial piece of evidence for the prosecution.

The case remained under wraps until September 6, 2023, when the mother of the 16-year-old victim filed a formal complaint with the Guardia Civil in northern Gran Canaria.

Devastated, she had discovered the video circulating on social media and messaging groups, causing irreparable harm to her daughter.

The complaint detailed how the non-consensual images had spread among strangers, exposing the minor to public humiliation and deep trauma.

The Guardia Civil acted swiftly.

On September 18, 2023, agents from the Technological Crimes Unit arrested the four footballers at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex while they trained with Castilla.

The surreal scene of promising young players handcuffed and taken to police custody shocked teammates and coaches alike.

After giving statements, the players were released on provisional terms but had their mobile phones seized for forensic analysis.

The data extracted painted a disturbing picture.

Investigators found WhatsApp conversations among the players discussing the recording and its possible consequences.

The chats contained alarming signs of callousness and lack of empathy.

Juan Rodríguez, for example, wrote that he did not care that one victim was a minor.

Others searched online for penalties related to distributing intimate images without consent.

The messages included derogatory comments about the young women, such as “what sluts” or “they’re trash,” and crude remarks about the minor’s age and appearance.

These words not only worsened the perception of the events but also revealed a disconnect between the players and the gravity of their actions.

The investigation confirmed that the video had reached at least five other Real Madrid youth players and 32 additional people, amplifying the damage inflicted on the victims.

The judicial process unfolded under the supervision of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana court in Gran Canaria, a tribunal accustomed to local cases but now facing a scandal of national magnitude.

The four players were charged with two serious offenses: violation of privacy under Articles 197.

1 and 197.

3 of the Spanish Penal Code, and child pornography under Article 189.

The law punishes recording intimate images without consent with one to four years in prison and fines, with harsher sentences if the images are distributed.

Possession or dissemination of sexual content involving minors carries penalties of one to five years, regardless of consent.

Raúl Asencio’s position was distinct.

Unlike his former teammates, he did not participate in the sexual encounter or the video’s recording.

His involvement was limited to receiving and showing the video to a third party, an act that, while less direct, still placed him under intense scrutiny.

His defense team adopted an aggressive strategy, arguing from the outset that no physical evidence of the video existed on Asencio’s phone—due to the “view once” WhatsApp feature—and that the investigation period had expired.

They claimed the evidence was insufficient to sustain charges and sought dismissal of the case, emphasizing that Asencio neither recorded nor widely disseminated the material, and that showing it to a friend was an isolated error, not a criminal act.

Nevertheless, on January 28, 2025, the Provincial Court of Las Palmas rejected these defenses, ruling that there were reasonable grounds to suspect Asencio’s criminal liability.

The decision rested on three pillars: the witness’s testimony confirming the video was shown on Asencio’s phone, the voice message admitting to sharing it, and the Guardia Civil’s detailed report on the chain of dissemination.

The court emphasized that Asencio knowingly shared content involving a minor and without consent, committing the crimes of violation of privacy and child pornography.

The law does not require mass distribution to consider the offense complete.

This ruling was a blow to the defense, which had hoped to limit the case to administrative sanctions or acquittal.

On May 14, 2025, the court advanced the case to a summary trial, ending the investigative phase and initiating formal criminal proceedings.

Initially, Asencio was charged with three offenses: recording intimate images without consent, distribution, and child pornography.

However, the following day, the judge clarified that there was no evidence Asencio participated in recording the video, removing that charge.

The remaining charges of violation of privacy and child pornography stood, based on his act of showing the video to a friend while knowing it involved a minor.

The court documents detail the severe psychological impact on the victims—a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old—both suffering post-traumatic stress, anxiety, insomnia, fear of public exposure, and difficulties resuming daily life.

The case moved to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and private accusers representing the victims, who are preparing charges and calling for a public trial, expected within months.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Raúl Asencio’s career took an unexpected trajectory.

Raised in Real Madrid’s youth system since age 12, the 1.

85-meter center-back is known for his strength, tactical intelligence, leadership, aerial duels, and precise long passes.

In November 2024, injuries to first-team defenders opened the door for his debut under Carlo Ancelotti, where he impressed with key interceptions and 90% pass accuracy.

By April 2025, he had appeared in 12 first-team matches, establishing himself as a reliable option alongside veterans like Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger.

Real Madrid, signaling confidence, began contract renewal talks to extend his stay until 2030.

Off the field, however, Asencio faced fierce public scrutiny.

News of his indictment in September 2023 unleashed a media storm.

Headlines painted him as the scandal’s face, despite his secondary role compared to his ex-teammates.

Social media erupted, dividing opinion.

Some defended him, highlighting his minimal involvement and lack of video recording.

Others condemned him unequivocally, arguing that sharing explicit material involving a minor is unforgivable.

The polarization spilled into stadiums.

In a February 2025 match against Osasuna, local fans chanted offensive slogans targeting Asencio.

During the Copa del Rey semifinals in March, verbal abuse forced a two-minute match suspension under the league’s anti-violence protocol.

Asencio broke his silence in March 2025 during a training camp with Spain’s U21 team.

Surrounded by journalists, he calmly stated, “Everyone is aware of what they do.”

His ambiguous words sparked varied interpretations—some saw an implicit admission of wrongdoing, others a defense of innocence.

Those close to him insist he had no malicious intent, was not present during the recording, did not store the video, and that showing it to a friend was a momentary lapse, not a deliberate plan to harm.

One victim, speaking anonymously, said Asencio was a source of support after the incident, promising to reprimand his teammates for recording the video—adding complexity to his role.

The victims’ suffering lies at the heart of this story.

The 16-year-old, whose identity is legally protected, endures deep trauma from the video’s dissemination to dozens of people, cruel comments, and public humiliation.

Psychological reports describe severe post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and social withdrawal.

Her mother, in a public letter, expressed heartbreak over her daughter’s shattered trust and life.

The case highlights a critical issue in the digital era: unauthorized recordings can become a lifelong sentence for victims, whose privacy is irreparably violated.

Legally, the case against Asencio is complex.

While evidence is substantial, the absence of the video on his device complicates proof.

Prosecutors must demonstrate intent to violate privacy or disseminate illegal content to secure a conviction.

If convicted, penalties range from two to five years for privacy violation and one to five for child pornography.

With no prior offenses and sentences under two years, Asencio might avoid jail but carry a criminal record.

For his former teammates, charges are more severe due to their direct involvement in recording, risking harsher sentences and fines.

Real Madrid has taken a cautious stance, issuing a brief statement promising action once facts are clarified but refraining from immediate sanctions.

Keeping Asencio in the squad post-debut has sparked criticism over ethics versus sporting success.

Other clubs monitor the case closely, aware no team is immune to such crises.

The Spanish Football Federation has launched educational programs on consent and digital responsibility, aiming to prevent future scandals.

The Raúl Asencio case is more than a scandal—it is a mirror reflecting society’s struggles with fame, responsibility, privacy, and justice in the digital age.

For victims, it is an open wound; for Asencio, a crossroads; for football, a call to rethink how players are formed as both athletes and individuals.

As the trial approaches, many questions remain: Will prosecutors prove Asencio’s criminal intent beyond doubt? How will the victims’ trauma influence judicial decisions? Can Asencio redeem himself, or will his name forever be linked to a youthful mistake?

The answers lie ahead, but the story of that summer day in Gran Canaria is now an indelible chapter in Real Madrid’s and Spanish football’s history.