Dani Carvajal, captain of Real Madrid, was the cover star of Esquire, where he gave an extensive interview discussing his recovery process after the serious injury he sustained on October 5. The right-back suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured lateral collateral ligament, and a ruptured popliteal tendon in his right leg, which has kept him away from the field.

Despite the severity of the injury, Carvajal remained optimistic during the interview. "Now I’m practically walking without crutches, I can do gym work, cycling, and I’m gaining degrees in my flexion... These are small goals, but I’m achieving them," said the player, who, although aware of the long recovery process, sees the positive side: "Maybe this could extend my career by several years..."

The player also revealed that he had received many messages of support, but he particularly highlighted one from Atlético de Madrid manager Diego Simeone. "It was a very special message, from someone I admire a lot, apart from the rivalry. He’s a person who loves football, and we share the vision of seeing this sport with a lot of emotion," Carvajal recalled, expressing gratitude for the gesture.

Regarding the exhausting current football calendar, Carvajal once again voiced his discontent. "It’s not just the matches, it’s also the travel, the team gatherings, the little time you spend at home... It’s impossible to maintain that level every three days," he said. Furthermore, he highlighted that football’s business aspect has taken control of the situation: "More matches, more money, more people making money," he lamented.

Despite his injury, Carvajal is focused on the future, with the Club World Cup as one of his main goals. Reflecting on his best moment in 2024, he fondly remembered his Ballon d’Or nomination, although he avoided delving into the controversy surrounding the award, which was ultimately won by Manchester City’s Rodri. "I think I’m the highest-placed right-back in a Ballon d’Or gala," he stated.

Carvajal also shared his views on the most important achievements of his career. For him, scoring in the Champions League final is an achievement that is hard to compare to anything else, although winning the European Championshipalso holds a special place in his heart. "Scoring in the Champions League final is something unique. Being part of history with that header goal was very special. I think it’s on par with winning the European Championship, which for me is an ultimate pride."

Finally, the right-back made it clear that, if he ever decided to leave Real Madrid, he wouldn’t play for another European club. "It wouldn’t seem outrageous to me. I’ve already said that if I ever leave Real Madrid, I won’t play in Europe, not against Madrid, nor in the Champions League, nor in Spain," he confirmed, hinting at a possible destination in another continent, like his brother-in-law Joselu. For now, Carvajal continues to miss being on the field with his teammates, eagerly awaiting his return to action.