Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the current season, bringing an end to a remarkable 23-year association with the Spanish giants that began in the club’s academy.
The 34-year-old right-back, widely regarded as one of the most decorated players in Real Madrid’s history, will depart when his contract expires in June, closing a chapter that defined an era of dominance for the La Liga and European champions.
Key Highlights:
- Dani Carvajal will leave Real Madrid CF after 23 years with the club.
- He won 27 trophies, including six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns.
- Carvajal is the only player to start in all six of his Champions League-winning finals.
- Injuries and competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold limited his recent playing time.
- Real Madrid will honour him before his departure, with Florentino Pérez calling him a club legend.
Carvajal, born in Madrid, joined the club’s youth system in 2002 and progressed through the ranks before making his first-team debut in 2013, following a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen.
Real Madrid later activated a buy-back clause to bring him home, a decision that proved pivotal in shaping one of the most successful periods in the club’s modern history.
Over his career, Carvajal made 450 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals, and won an astonishing 27 trophies, making him one of the most decorated figures in the club’s history.
Among his achievements are sx UEFA Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, six FIFA Club World Cups, five UEFA Super Cups, and four Spanish Super Cups
He is also one of only five players in history to win six Champions League titles and the only player to start in all six winning finals.
Carvajal’s final seasons were marked by injury setbacks, including a cruciate ligament tear in 2024 and another serious knee injury a year later.
His playing time in La Liga this season was limited, especially following the arrival of England international Trent Alexander-Arnold, who gradually became the preferred option at right-back.
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Despite these challenges, Carvajal remained a respected leader within the dressing room and was frequently relied upon during difficult periods for the club.
Carvajal evolved from academy graduate to captain, embodying the club’s identity and winning mentality during a period that saw the departure of legends such as Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modrić.
Club president Florentino Pérez described him as “a legend and a symbol of Real Madrid and its academy,” praising his embodiment of the club’s values.
Real Madrid are expected to honour him during their final La Liga home match of the season against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabéu on May 23.
Beyond trophies, Carvajal was widely recognised for his consistency, tactical intelligence, and ability to perform in high-pressure matches particularly in Champions League knockout stages.
His standout moment came in the 2024 Champions League final, where he scored and was named man of the match, cementing his status as one of the club’s most influential defenders of the modern era.
