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Carvajal to Exit Real Madrid in 2026 After 450 Games

5/24/2026

Summary

Carvajal Departs

Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will leave the club when his contract expires in June 2026.
He made 450 appearances and won 27 trophies for Real Madrid, including six Champions Leagues.
He earned 51 caps for Spain since 2014 and helped win the 2023 Nations League and the 2024 European Championship.
Carvajal debuted in 2013 after a loan to Bayer Leverkusen and returned via a buy-back clause.

Summary

Carvajal Lays Stone

Fans displayed a tifo showing Carvajal laying the first stone of Ciudad Real Madrid with Alfredo Di Stéfano.
After the 4-2 win, Carvajal received a guard of honour and a standing ovation.
A video tribute played on the Bernabéu screens before Carvajal gave an emotional speech thanking president Florentino Pérez.
The ceremony also bid farewell to David Alaba, whose fans raised plastic chairs recalling his 2022 celebration.

Summary

Carvajal Tribute

Alvaro Arbeloa said Dani Carvajal is a symbol of what a Real Madrid player should be.
He highlighted that Carvajal, a homegrown talent, laid the first stone for the club’s new era.
Carvajal will start the match against Athletic Club before being substituted for a tribute.
Arbeloa expects the stadium to erupt in applause when Carvajal is taken off, leaving him with a beautiful memory.

History

Historical Context

In 1956 Real Madrid won the inaugural European Cup and began a run of five consecutive titles, defending the trophy on 30 May 1957 at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Alfredo Di Stéfano scoring the decisive penalty and Francisco Gento adding a second-half goal. The club’s tradition of honoring legends continues as Dani Carvajal received a Bernabéu tribute praised by Álvaro Arbeloa and president Florentino Pérez, echoing the reverence shown to past icons.

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Carvajal Departs

Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will leave the club when his contract expires in June 2026.
He made 450 appearances and won 27 trophies for Real Madrid, including six Champions Leagues.
He earned 51 caps for Spain since 2014 and helped win the 2023 Nations League and the 2024 European Championship.
Carvajal debuted in 2013 after a loan to Bayer Leverkusen and returned via a buy-back clause.

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