Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will depart after 23 seasons, ending a career that began in 2002 and peaked with 450 appearances and 14 goals. His contract lapses in June, leaving the club without its long‑time right‑back and leader. The exit follows two spells at the Bernabéu, during which he lifted six Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns.

Carvajal, 34, has become a club icon, collecting 27 trophies, including six Club World Cups and five UEFA Super Cups. He earned 51 caps for Spain, helping them win the 2023 Nations League and the 2024 European Championship. His performances earned him a spot in the FIFPro 2024 World XI and the Best FIFA Men's World XI award.

Injuries have limited him to just 892 minutes in La Liga this season, after cruciate ligament tears in October 2024 and a subsequent knee injury. The arrival of Trent Alexander‑Arnold last summer has pushed him down the depth chart, making his final match a bittersweet farewell.

Madrid will honour Carvajal at their final home fixture against Athletic Club on 23 May, with Florentino Pérez calling him a legend who defined the club’s winning ethos. His departure signals a new era for the Bernabéu as the club seeks fresh leadership on the right flank.