We are well into January and Real Madrid have lost just one game this season so far. That is a remarkable run of form, especially when you consider the lack of depth in this squad and their long injury list as well. Carlo Ancelotti's side should not be having this good of a campaign, but they simply manage to find ways to win. The players, the coaching staff and everybody else associated with the team deserve a ton of credit.
Certain players have raised their game this season as well in order to help in this run. Dani Carvajal has to be near the top of that list.
For a few years, there have been calls for Carvajal to be replaced as a starter and understandably so. His performance levels had noticably dipped and he crossed 30 years of age as well. But on the eve of his 32nd birthday, the Spaniard delivered one of his best performances in a Real Madrid shirt.
Real Madrid edged out a 5-3 win over Atletico Madrid, the only team Ancelotti's side have lost to so far this season, to book their place in the Supercopa de Espana final. Carvajal was instrumental in that win and looks like a player reborn.
Real Madrid hero delivers superb performance vs Atletico
Carvajal assisted Ferland Mendy's goal before scoring Real Madrid's 85th-minute equaliser to take the game to extra-time. He then played a vital part in Los Blancos' fourth strike of the night as well, with Stefan Savic scoring an own goal to make it 4-3 to Ancelotti's side.
Of course, the likes of Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger and Rodrygo have gotten most of the headlines lately and deservedly so. But Carvajal has been one of Real Madrid's best performers this season too.
The club have been linked with many right-backs. Carvajal might still be the best right-back in the world though.