Dani Carvajal’s storied career at his boyhood club is coming to an end – Real Madrid have officially announced on Monday. Carvajal’s contract runs until June 30, 2026, however, he will play his final game next weekend against Athletic Club at the Bernabeu.
Listing five moments from his legendary career at Real Madrid which spanned over 20 years if we include his youth career – is a daunting task. I am daunted to do so with the disclaimer that this is only my list – not definitive in any shape, way, or form.
5. Goal in the UEFA Super Cup 2016
Dani Carvajal scored a 119th minute winner, deep into extra time in the UEFA Super Cup 2016 against Sevilla. Zineine Zidane was still waiting on some of this stars to regain match-fitness after the fatigue of the UEFA Euro 2016. Madrid had to fight hard to take the game into extra time. Carvajal made a deep run and slotted in with a composed finish to claim the title.
4. Assist in Champions League Final 2017
Reigning champions Real Madrid were in search for their second consecutive title in Cardiff – against a Juventus side who were labelled as the immovable object at the time. Real Madrid went ahead on the 20th minute, thanks an immaculate move crafted by Zidane’s men, at the end of which was a timely cutback from Dani Carvajal to Cristiano Ronaldo. This was the famous “one chance, bang” goal.
3. Assist in UEFA Champions League Semi-final Second Leg, 2022
This has become one of the highlights of Real Madrid folklore in recent times. Trailing by two goals in the dying minutes of the second leg at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid were all but out against Manchester City. Peter Drury’s poetic commentary has become synonymous with it. “They prayed for miracles and miracles arrived,” Drury called on the night. The seond of the two goals from Rodrygo was assisted by Carvajal – a floated cross from the right flank, after he had almost tripped over. Rodrygo scored with a header, Madrid took the game into extra time and far away from Manchester City.
2. Laying the Foundation for Real Madrid City
On May 12, 2004, a young Dani Carvajal joined Alfredo Di Stefano to lay the first stone for the project of Real Madrid City – the state of the art training facilities of the biggest club in the world. There is a section in the Bernabeu Museum with a miniature version of Real Madrid City. The tour guides, while telling this story claim that Carvajal being the youth academy player to do this was not decided beforehand, it was a complete coincidence. Looking back, it seems completely fitting that Carvajal was the one called upon to lay the first stone.
1. Six European Cups
Dani Carvajal won his sixth European Cup by delivering a man of the match performance in London, against Borussia Dortmund in the final of 2024. He rose above everyone and connected with a Toni Kroos corner to put Madrid ahead. He celebrated the title in the streets of Madrid with his father, who is a policeman and was part of the celebration detail of Real Madrid after the Champions League final. Iconic in every sense of the word, just like Carvajal’s career.
