Vicente del Bosque has referred to Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio as the “greatest talent there is in Spain.”

“We were on the verge of taking him to the European Championship but in the end we decided against it because there was so much competition.” Asked if Asensio has a place in the Real side under Zinedine Zidane, Del Bosque replied: “He is a very skilful player but that’s not a decision for me make.”

Del Bosque also confirmed that after stepping down from the Spain post after the Euros, he will likely call it a day in terms of coaching. “I don’t want to say it definitively, but I don’t see myself managing again. That said, I want to remain in the game, which has always been my profession and my passion.”