It’s been a rocky few weeks for our captain, but there’s finally some white smoke emerging from Real Madrid City.
The tension surrounding Dani Carvajal has been the elephant in the room since his return from injury in January. Despite being back in the squad, the legendary right-back has found himself frozen out, watching from the sidelines as Federico Valverde, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and even youngster David Jimenez took his minutes.
The boiling point? That visible frustration during the Valencia match and a heated exchange with Antonio Pintus. For a moment, it felt like we were watching the beginning of a sad goodbye.
The Meeting: Protection vs. Ambition
According to MARCA, Monday morning’s training session served as the backdrop for a decisive “sit-down” between Alvaro Arbeloa and Carvajal. Here’s the breakdown of what was discussed:
- Carvajal’s Stance: The captain didn’t hide his disappointment. Having worked tirelessly to get fit, he felt ready to contribute weeks ago and interpreted his lack of minutes as a lack of trust.
- Arbeloa’s Reasoning: The boss was firm on his “zero-risk” policy. Given Dani’s history with recurring muscle injuries, Arbeloa explained that he preferred a slow integration over a potential relapse that could end his season prematurely.
Where do we stand now?
The good news is that the air has been cleared. Both men prioritized the club’s harmony over personal friction. While the “rift” is officially settled, the long-term questions haven’t vanished:
- Short-term: Carvajal is set to stay and fight for his place for the remainder of the campaign. Expect to see him integrated more frequently as we hit the business end of the season.
- Long-term: While the immediate fire is out, the report suggests that Carvajal’s future beyond this summer remains an open question. With Trent now in the mix, the competition for that right-back slot has never been more intense.