Real Madrid's Marco Asensio says he is desperate to be a success at the Bernabeu and insists he can continue to make a difference at the club
Asensio was given his break in the first-team by Zinedine Zidane two years ago and is now one of the contenders for the No. 7 shirt following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure.
"Real Madrid is the most demanding club in the world and from the start, you know you have to be prepared and give everything for the jersey," the 22-year-old told GQ. "My first option is to be successful at Real Madrid. After that, nobody knows what could happen.
"I have had the chance to be the starter in very important games for Real Madrid and the national team. I hope that each time, I can have more weight and more regularity in both places."
Asensio made his debut when he started against Sevilla in the 2016 European Super Cup. He scored his first goal for the club just 21 minutes into that game and he says it is one his favourite goals.
Real Madrid won that game 3-2 Real Madrid and Asensio has gone on to win two Champions Leagues, a La Liga title and two Club World Cups since then.
"I try not to pay too much attention to expectations they have of me," he added. "It's normal that there are a lot because they have been two very good years at Real Madrid. I just hope to keep surpassing them."
He also made his debut with Spain in May of 2016 under Vicente del Bosque before Julen Lopetegui took over after the European Champioship in France. He has played 15 times for Spain having excelled at youth level for his country.
"Julen is a manager with a very good idea of football and one that I personally like a lot, he said of his new Real Madrid manager and previous national team coach.
"He has added a lot of intensity to training and he is demanding of us."
Asensio has been tasked with replacing some of the goals Ronaldo left behind when he moved to Juventus this summer. The attacker says he can play anywhere asked in attack.
"I can play in any position in the attacking but I don't like be stuck on the wing, for example," he added. "I need to have freedom to move all around the attacking and creating zones."