Spain boss Julen Lopetegui hails Marco Asensio

Porto's Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui plays with a ball in a training session at the Dragao stadium in Porto on March 9, 2015
© Getty Images
Spain boss Julen Lopetegui pays tribute to Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio after including the youngster in his first national team squad.

Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has paid tribute to Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio after including the youngster in his squad for next month's clashes against Belgium and Liechtenstein.

Asensio, 20, impressed during a loan spell with Espanyol last season and has formed part of Real Madrid's squad for the new campaign - starting and scoring in their 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad last weekend.

The attacking midfielder made his Spain debut under Vicente del Bosque before Euro 2016 and Lopetegui has revealed that Asensio is firmly in his plans both short-term and long-term.

"[Marco Asensio] has quality, maturity and is a player who excites us. He has a big future and present," Lopetegui told reporters.

Asensio came through the youth system at Mallorca before agreeing to join Real Madrid in 2014.

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