Is Real Madrid's veteran defender Dani Carvajal fuming on the sidelines? Welcome to our exclusive weekly dive into the heart of Real Madrid, bringing you the inside scoop throughout the 2025-26 La Liga season. We're cutting through the noise to deliver trustworthy analysis on the hottest topics surrounding Los Blancos.
This report is built on candid conversations with numerous anonymous sources within the club, all of whom shared their insights to maintain their professional relationships.
The burning question on everyone's lips at Real Madrid right now: What's going on with Dani Carvajal?
While Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-0 victory against Valencia, thanks to goals from Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa made a surprising choice, opting for academy product David Jimenez at right-back. Although Trent Alexander-Arnold made his return from injury, replacing Jimenez in the 76th minute, veteran Dani Carvajal was once again conspicuously absent from the lineup. The 34-year-old club captain, who only recently returned from a knee injury in early January, has seen a mere 27 minutes of action since.
Adding to the uncertainty, Carvajal's contract is set to expire in June, and remarkably, no renewal discussions have taken place. In fact, he hasn't played a single minute in Real Madrid's last four matches.
Following the game, our observations showed Carvajal engaged in post-match drills with physical trainer Antonio Pintus. It was evident he was not pleased. Sources close to the player confirmed he was indeed "p****d off" about his lack of playing time but vowed to continue his dedicated training.
In his post-match press conference, Arbeloa commented that he was "seeing Dani improve in training little by little" but was hesitant to "take any risks." However, sources at the club's training facility indicated last week that Carvajal was fit to play, albeit for a limited duration of around 60 minutes. Arbeloa also emphasized Carvajal's importance as a dressing room leader, stating, "It’s very important for the players to have him as a reference point in the dressing room, and I’m sure he’ll find his best form."
Carvajal's incredible 23-year tenure at Real Madrid grants him a unique standing within the club. Yet, his future remains shrouded in doubt. While Real Madrid has previously allowed senior players with expiring contracts, like Nacho and Toni Kroos, to dictate their own departure timelines, this courtesy wasn't extended to Luka Modric last season and doesn't appear to be the case for Carvajal either.
But here's where it gets controversial... Well-placed sources suggest that the Real Madrid board harbors reservations about offering him a contract extension. Furthermore, those close to the player are not optimistic about his stay and feel that Arbeloa hasn't adequately explained his exclusion from the team.
In recent weeks, there have been whispers from within the dressing room about an improved atmosphere following Xabi Alonso's dismissal as manager. The unfolding Carvajal situation could significantly impact this dynamic and potentially prompt Real Madrid to explore strengthening their right-back position in the transfer market – a topic that has already been on the club's agenda.
What else did we learn from Sunday's game?
Arbeloa's tenure as Real Madrid manager has been undeniably challenging, marked by some disheartening defeats and audible fan displeasure at the Bernabeu. Nevertheless, Sunday's match offered several glimmers of hope.
Even before Alonso's departure on January 12th, the team had been performing well in La Liga, at least in terms of results. Their victory at Valencia marked their seventh consecutive win in Spain's top flight, keeping them just one point behind defending champions Barcelona, who currently lead the table after a 3-0 win against Mallorca.
"We’re surviving," remarked a Madrid staff member leaving Mestalla. Coaching staff sources have stressed the need for time to fully unlock the team's potential, a task complicated by the persistent injury concerns.
Alvaro Carreras netted the decisive opening goal in the 65th minute, showcasing a determined solo effort that broke the deadlock. The 22-year-old left-back continues to make a strong case for being the most successful signing from last summer, delivering another solid defensive performance.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe sealed the victory with his 38th goal of the season across all competitions in the 91st minute, extending his lead in La Liga's scoring charts with 23 goals in 22 games. Arbeloa lauded Mbappe's brilliance, telling Real Madrid TV, "There are no adjectives left to describe Kylian. We thought we would never see anyone like Cristiano (Ronaldo) again, but this guy is on his way."
Dean Huijsen also delivered a more assured performance, displaying defensive solidity and impressive passing to disrupt Valencia's play, a marked improvement from recent criticisms regarding sloppiness. Despite some absences and ongoing physical issues, sources close to Huijsen confirm he is now in peak condition.
It was also a welcome sight to see Trent Alexander-Arnold return from a thigh injury sustained in early December, just as he was beginning to show his best form. The 27-year-old will now aim to build on this and finally demonstrate his capabilities at his new club, having accumulated only 511 minutes since his summer arrival from Liverpool.
And this is the part most people miss... The other significant news from the weekend for Real Madrid was Barcelona's announcement that they are "formally withdrawing" from the European Super League (ESL). Launched in 2021 with the backing of 12 clubs, the ESL now sees only Real Madrid officially involved.
Sources at A22, the company promoting the ESL, indicated that Barcelona's withdrawal was not unexpected, especially since they did not pursue legal action against UEFA in October, unlike Real Madrid and A22. Barcelona president Joan Laporta's close ties with UEFA were further highlighted by his meeting with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin at a European Football Clubs event in Rome.
While Real Madrid has remained silent on Barcelona's stance, their continued commitment to the ESL was evident as recently as January. Senior Madrid sources informed The Athletic that any potential investors would need to align with the club's long-term strategy, with the ESL explicitly mentioned as part of that vision.
Separately, Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger were in London last week with Real Madrid's new head of medical services, Niko Mihic, for crucial physical check-ups. Both players received positive medical reports, despite neither featuring in the matchday squad against Valencia.
Now, over to you! Do you think Real Madrid should offer Dani Carvajal a new contract, considering his long service and current situation? Or is it time for the club to look to the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
