Real Madrid's topsy-turvy season has threatened to jeopardise several players' dreams of heading to this summer's World Cup with their nations. Some have failed to impress while others have been sitting on the bench and are without much-needed game time.
It's almost guaranteed the likes of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde will be on the plane to North America with their respective countries. The same can't be said for Dani Carvajal who has dealt with injuries but also a lack of minutes.
The Spaniard has appeared just 10 times across competitions, starting four of seven La Liga games. The 34-year-old showed frustration when Alvaro Arbeloa turned to Trent Alexander-Arnold rather than himself in a 2-0 win over Valencia last weekend.
Spain boss gives Dani Carvajal World Cup lifeline
Carvajal appears to be back on good terms with Arbeloa after holding talks with Madrid's caretaker manager. That doesn't guarantee that he will be staying at the club beyond this season with his contract expiring in June.
There had been talk of the Spanish right-back's lack of game time preventing him from being called up for Spain's World Cup campaign. Luis de la Fuente's La Roja are favorites to prevail and head to the tournament as European champions.
De la Fuente gave an update on Carvajal's chances of making his squad (via El Partidazo de COPE): "He's in that recovery process... for us, he's a hugely important asset."
Those comments suggest that Spain's manager will still be counting on Carvajal when the Spaniards fly to the USA, Mexico, and Canada for the World Cup. He might even be given a chance to cement his place in the team.
De la Fuente's side face world champions Argentina in Finalissima on March 27th. They then have a friendly against Egypt on March 30th.
Carvajal chasing the one trophy that has evaded him
Madrid's captain is one of the most decorated players in Spanish football history and has won every major trophy at the Estadio Bernabeu. His trophy cabinet includes six Champions League medals, four La Liga titles, five UEFA Supercups, five Club World Cups, two Copa del Rey trophies and four Supercopa de Espana medals.
Carvajal was part of the Spain team that won Euro 2024 in Germany but he's never got his hands on the World Cup. He's only participated in one edition of the most illustrious football tournament and that was when his nation crashed out in the last 16 of 2022 World Cup.