Real Madrid right back Dani Carvajal may face competition from Achraf Hakimi in 2020-2021, but the long-time starter is prepared to retire with the club.
Ever since returning from a successful loan spell with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2012-2013 season, Dani Carvajal has been a fixture at the right back position for Real Madrid. In fact, Carvajal played in a career-high 45 games across all competitions in his first season after Real activated the buy-back in his deal with Leverkusen.
Carvajal is still going strong at the age of 27, as he was the best right back in La Liga last season. There were some low points in the 2019-2020 campaign for Carvajal, but, by and large, he was excellent on both ends of the pitch.
According to a report from Tomás Roncero of AS, the two-time UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season star would like to sign one more extension with Real Madrid until at least 2026. His current contract runs out after the 2021-2022 season, meaning he has two years left on his deal.
The Spain international reportedly wants to retire with Los Blancos, and although he had a loan spell at Leverkusen, he would technically retire having only known Real Madrid as a parent club throughout his career.
It’s special to have that sort of a relationship with a club, and Carvajal clearly values this. It’s also rare for players to spend their entire career at a club, given how many of them desire new challenges later in their careers or how delicate the relationship between player and club can be.
But Carvajal has been important to Real Madrid over the years, winning four Champions League titles during his time at the Bernabeu.
In 2026, Carvajal will be 34 years old. Given how frequently he’s played over the years and how he showed some signs of slowing down against trickier wide forwards last season, it’s unrealistic for him to remain a starter by that age.
But he could transition to a different position or remain a useful veteran player with managed minutes, so, hopefully, he can make it until then. By modifying his game and with his technical qualities, Carvajal could potentially play at Real Madrid until he’s 34.