Dani Carvajal's future at Real Madrid hangs in the balance. The 33-year-old right-back wants to stay, but injuries keep getting in the way.
Remember when Carvajal looked unstoppable at Euro 2024? He was arguably the best right-back on the planet as he helped Spain lift the trophy. But since then, it's been a rough ride for the Madrid captain.
Carvajal has managed just 10 games this season. First, a muscle tear sidelined him for a month. Then knee problems kept him out through November and December. Sound familiar? He spent most of last season recovering from a cruciate ligament injury too.
Manager Alvaro Arbeloa is being cautious this time around. Even though Carvajal got fit early in January, he hasn't started a match yet. Arbeloa is taking it slow, and you can't blame him given the defender's recent injury record.
Contract Talks Yet to Begin
Here's where it gets interesting. Carvajal's contract expires this summer, and Real Madrid haven't opened talks yet. According to The Athletic, the Spanish international is waiting for the club to make contact.
The good news? Carvajal doesn't expect any major obstacles to signing another one-year extension. The club views this as a special case because of his massive contribution and influence in the dressing room.
Real Madrid insists any decision will be "mutual." They're clearly weighing his leadership value against his fitness concerns. For anyone considering betting on Madrid's defensive stability next season, Carvajal's contract situation is definitely worth monitoring.
Qatar Move on the Horizon?
This is the first time Carvajal has openly discussed finishing his career outside Europe. He's considering moves to Qatar or Major League Soccer.
The Qatar link makes sense. His brother-in-law and former teammate Joselu plays there for Al-Gharafa. Carvajal even posed with an Al-Gharafa shirt during a recent visit to Qatar, fueling speculation.
For now, Carvajal has the rest of the season to prove his body can handle elite football. After two years of staying relatively injury-free, his fitness problems have returned with a vengeance.
His main focus? Getting to the World Cup in perfect shape. It's the only major trophy missing from his impressive collection, and Spain will need their experienced captain at his best.
