Defender has struggled with injuries and played only 33 times since the start of last season
Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will leave the club this summer after the expiration of his contract, ending a 23-year association with his boyhood side.
The 34-year-old defender departs as a free agent after Madrid decided not to extend his deal, bringing to a close a career that saw him become one of the club’s most decorated players.
Carvajal joined Madrid’s academy as a 10-year-old in 2002 and, aside from a season at Bayer Leverkusen in 2012-13, spent his entire career at the Spanish giants. He made 448 appearances for the first team and won 26 trophies, including four La Liga titles and six Champions League crowns.
His final seasons at the club were heavily affected by injury. Carvajal missed nine months after suffering serious knee damage in October 2024. Further setbacks in his recovery limited his involvement after returning, and he played only 33 times from the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
Carvajal also lost his place at right-back to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who arrived from Liverpool last summer. Madrid are now exploring options to strengthen the position, with the club reportedly considering another right-back signing to provide depth behind Alexander-Arnold.
Speaking in April, Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa dismissed suggestions he would increase Carvajal’s playing time to help his chances of starting for Spain at the World Cup.
“I have 23 players,” Arbeloa said. “Any Real Madrid player has options to go to the World Cup and, if you allow me, I’m going to think about what’s best for my team.”
He later clarified that the remarks were not aimed personally at Carvajal, calling the veteran defender “vital” to the team.
At international level, Carvajal earned 52 caps for Spain and was part of the side that won the Euros in 2024.
