Dani Carvajal, longtime skipper of Real Madrid, set to depart team following 23-year tenure

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Real Madrid’s Spanish defender #02 Dani Carvajal touches the trophy as he celebrates after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, at Wembley stadium, in London, on June 1, 2024. – Real Madrid wins the Champions League final 2 – 0 against Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will leave the club at the end of the season, bringing an end to a historic 23-year spell with the Spanish giants.

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The Spanish giants confirmed the decision in an official statement on Monday, describing the veteran defender as “one of the greatest legends of our club and world football.”

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The 34-year-old leaves the Santiago Bernabéu as one of the most decorated players in the club’s history after winning 27 trophies, including six UEFA Champions League titles, six Club World Cups, four La Liga crowns and two Copa del Rey trophies.

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Carvajal is also among only five players in football history to have lifted six European Cups.

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The Spain international joined Real Madrid’s famed La Fabrica academy in 2002 and spent 10 years in the youth system before a brief spell at Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.

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Madrid re-signed him a year later, and he went on to establish himself as one of the club’s most important players over 13 seasons with the senior team.

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Across 450 appearances for Los Blancos, Carvajal scored 14 goals while becoming a symbol of consistency, leadership and success during one of the brightest eras in the club’s history.

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Individually, the defender was named in the FIFPro World XI in 2024, won The Best FIFA Men’s World XI award the same year and was voted Player of the Match in the 2024 Champions League final after scoring in the showpiece.

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At international level, Carvajal earned 51 caps for Spain, helping the national team win Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League in 2023.

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However, reports in Spain suggest the defender will miss this summer’s FIFA World Cup after struggling with injuries during a disappointing campaign for Real Madrid.

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Los Blancos are set to finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy, with Carvajal expected to play his final match for the club against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend.

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Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez paid tribute to the departing captain, describing him as a lasting symbol of the club.

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“Dani Carvajal is a legend and an emblem of Real Madrid and its academy,” Pérez said.

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“Carvajal has consistently embodied the values of Real Madrid in an exemplary manner. This is and always

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will be his home.”

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The Santiago Bernabéu will hold a special tribute ceremony for Carvajal during Saturday’s final La Liga game of the season

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