Asensio's labyrinth at Real Madrid

Marco Asensio has been kept out of the spotlight as much as possible during the first two games of Real Madrid's season and, despite Carlo Ancelotti utilising all five substitutions and 19 players in all, he hasn't even played a single minute, let alone start either game.

This season, after becoming accustomed to spending more time on the bench than in the starting XI in 2021/22, he may have his importance further diminished.

With 2,110 minutes played, he ended the previous season in 15th place for Real Madrid players with most minutes. It was his record of 12 goals, which he had never before accomplished, that improved his self-confidence.

He didn't warm up in Helsinki at the UEFA Super Cup, no longer relevant in the competition where he made his debut with a spectacular goal in 2016.

Ancelotti's words in Finland, in which he declared his intention to rotate more, might have provided solace, but the fact that he has fallen further down the pecking order dealt another blow.

Five new players were brought in for Almeria, but Asensio was not one of them.

"If something changes in the heads of Asensio and Ceballos between now and August 31 then we will adapt," Ancelotti even said in the build-up to that game, a comment which has more meaning to it than first expected.

Ceballos has seen his role within the squad grow, while Asensio has fallen behind Eden Hazard in the rotation.

Asensio: From a lack of offers to the World Cup with Spain

Real Madrid haven't made a contract extension offer to either Asensio or Ceballos, whose contracts expire in 2023.

The attacker's issue is that he expected to get more lucrative offers - both in terms of the money and the sporting project - than those that have been made to him through Jorge Mendes, his new agent.

Additionally, there is the issue of the World Cup in Qatar in the background. It has always been a top priority for Asensio, but that importance has increased since Luis Enrique called him up in June.

But in this situation, his prospects of making the team are dwindling.

Ancelotti is not a manager with set principles and, if he keeps working, Asensio might get some playing time.

"He is important as long as he is a Real Madrid player," Ancelotti stated in Almeria. However, Asensio's future does look bleak.