Carvajal to leave Real Madrid after 23 years

Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal is set to leave the club at the end of the season after spending 23 years across two spells.

Carvajal has been a key member of the team after joining the club’s academy in 2002, and he made his senior debut in 2013 after spending a season at Bayer Leverkusen.

The club announced in a statement on Monday that they have reached an agreement with Carvajal to bring an end to his glittering time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The statement reads: “Real Madrid C.F. and our captain Dani Carvajal have agreed to bring an end to a wonderful chapter as a player of our club at the conclusion of the current season.

“Real Madrid wishes to express its gratitude and affection to one of the greatest legends of our club and world football.

“Carvajal is one of the five players in football history to have won 6 European Cups and has been part of a team that has experienced one of the brightest periods in our history.”

Carvajal is one of the most decorated players in the club’s history with 27 titles to his name.

He won the Champions League six times, La Liga on four occasions and the Copa del Rey twice, as well as six Club World Cups, five Uefa Super Cups and four Spanish Super Cups.

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Real Madrid President Florentino Perez described Carvajal as a symbol of Real Madrid.

He said: “Dani Carvajal is a legend and a symbol of Real Madrid and its academy.

“Carvajal has always exemplified the values of Real Madrid. This is and will always be his home.”

Carvajal was included in the FIFPro 2024 World XI, won The Best Fifa Men’s World XI award in 2024, and was named the best player of the 2024 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, in which he scored the opening goal.

He has struggled with injuries in the last two seasons, Real Madrid brought in Trent Alexander-Arnold last season to vie for the right-back position with Carvajal.

The former Liverpool star has not been able to live up to expectations at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid will pay tribute to Carvajal in their last game of the season against Athletic Bilbao at home on Sunday.