Real Madrid right back Dani Carvajal will return to the Spanish national team for the upcoming international fixtures, making him the first player on Los Merengues called up to Luis Enrique’s squad in 235 days.
The year 2021 has been a tumultuous one for the standard-setting right back. Carvajal has suffered multiple injury setbacks and hasn’t able to build momentum at any point in either season, as he has been bounced out of action quickly after returning.
On Wednesday, Carvajal had a rough time against Shakhtar Donetsk, but that gave way to his best performance of the season on Saturday. Carvajal was quietly brilliant in a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu. He looked like his old self, snapping into tackles, fighting for every ball, and putting in some delicious crosses for his teammates.
At his best, Carvajal is the premier two-way fullback in world football. There isn’t another player at right back with his big-game experience, tenacious defending, accurate crossing, and relentless ability to drive down the flank. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best right back in the world right now, but Carvajal is still the most complete.
Dani Carvajal is at a serious risk of injury
His Spain call-up is good news for him personally, for Spain, and for the Real Madrid fans who want to see their players succeed on the international stage. Carvajal has a lot to give to the national team, in the same way he elevates Real Madrid.’
The problem is that Carvajal has suffered several aggravations of injuries this season. He is having a hard time staying fit. While he is taking matters into his own hands, the reality is that he cannot do anything about being overloaded or taking on an increased burden of playing time, which increases his risk of another injury.
So while it is nice to see that he is reclaiming his rightful spot with the Spanish national team, the negative ramifications of his call-up are worrisome to Madridistas, who have already seen injuries ravage this team over the past year. There is no Carvajal replacement. Lucas Vazquez is an adequate makeshift right back, but there is a huge drop-off between him and Carvajal. And there is no other option besides Vazquez, seeing as Nacho Fernandez cannot attack.
Carvajal will get less rest and more stress as a result of this call-up. We have already seen how Karim Benzema is picking up more knocks and looking a lot more tired after his return to the French national team. Carvajal has an even more extensive injury history than Benzema, so the additional fixtures threaten the star right back even more.
Real Madrid will have to navigate yet another tightrope here with Carvajal. Carlo Ancelotti does not have an enviable job this season, and things are going to get more difficult for him once the injuries truly begin to pile up as a result of the toll of matches on players, induced by the greed of the governing bodies in the sport. Madridistas will hold their breath out of trepidation for another “parte medico” regarding their respected right back.