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Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal, in an interview with Esquire, said his goal is to return in time for the inaugural Club World Cup in June.
He also talked about many other things, but highlighted his goal of returning in time for the competition. He said: “That’s my goal. At the beginning of June it will be eight months since the surgery. We’ll see how everything progresses. The knee takes its time. I have set it as a goal, but as the date approaches we will see if it is feasible or not.”
Carvajal on his best moment of 2024
“I would say that scoring in a Champions League final is something unique, which will go down in history. Scoring in the 15th minute and doing it with a header from a corner, without being a tall player, was a very special moment for me. I think it is on par with winning the Euro Cup. For me, playing with the national team and defending your country is a great source of pride and winning an important title with Spain has been incredible.”
Carvajal on Real Madrid not having many Spanish players
“What you say is true. The fact that not so many Real Madrid players go to the national team is linked to the fact that there are not so many Spanish players starting at Real Madrid. But being a starter at Real Madrid is very complicated: there are the best in the world. To put it in context, our batch when we went up to Second in 2012, we were Morata, Nacho, Joselu, myself… We came from a winning Castilla, who in the play-off to go up to Second we scored eight goals against Cádiz. There it was seen that a very good generation of players was coming. In this case we are seeing players who go to the First Division, which is ultimately the goal of our youth team, but playing for Real Madrid is very difficult. And no one can deny that the policy that the club has followed during this time has been spectacular, because it has continued to win leagues and Champions Leagues.”
Carvajal in the Ballon d’Or
“I prefer to avoid the question. I understand that you ask me, but I prefer to avoid answering because I think anything I say could be misinterpreted. I can only tell you that, if I’m not mistaken, I think I am the right back who has finished highest in a Ballon d’Or ceremony and, regardless of whether I deserve to win it or not, I am very proud and so is my family. That something like this comes to me at 32 years old is something to be happy about.
“It crosses your mind. You think: ‘I have won everything, I have been important.’ But it is complex… you understand that from the right-back position it is much more difficult to win a Ballon d’Or.”
Carvajal on Joselu
“He is delighted. It’s a different experience, isn’t it? It is a competition in which all the stadiums are close, there is a very high quality of life. And he has earned it, having that important financial remuneration that puts a spectacular end to his career. I am very happy for him, for my sister-in-law and for my nephews. He told me: ‘I’ll wait for you here.’ I’m saving the right back position for you. [laughs].”
Carvajal on whether he would consider playing abroad
“Yes, definitely. I wouldn’t think it was crazy. I have already said that if one day I leave Real Madrid I will not play in Europe, I will not compete against Madrid in the Champions League or in Spain. And that would be a probable destination.”
Carvajal on the future
“No, and I fear it. I’m afraid I’ll wake up one day and not go to training. Ugh, it terrifies me. That’s why I try to enjoy every day to the fullest. Now I even see my teammates training and I say: “Oh, I wish I could be there.” You value going out into the field more. Going to the club, being with my teammates, doing my gym sessions, being in the physio room, talking to one person after another, I value all of that a lot because I know that it is coming to an end and I have to enjoy it.
“Well, I’m 32 years old, I’m not a child anymore. What do I have left? Four or five years of football? It’s not much, time goes by quickly.”
You can read the full interview here.
