Real Madrid veteran ‘demoralised’ with reduced role, going through his ‘darkest days’ at club
Real Madrid veteran ‘demoralised’ with reduced role, going through his ‘darkest days’ at club The ongoing season has been a very difficult one for Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal. After struggling with injuries during the first half of the season, the 34-year-old veteran has found minutes hard to come by since the turn of the year. Trent Alexander-Arnold has firmly established himself as a regular starter at right-back, leaving the veteran Spaniard with a very limited role in the team.
Carvajal going through difficult time As such, MARCA reports that Carvajal is going through his ‘darkest days’ at Real Madrid and has been ‘demoralised’ by his situation in Alvaro Arbeloa’s setup. The loss of prominence in the team that has tested his patience and diminished his strong personality in the dressing room. So far he has played only 18 times this term (7 starts) and did not get any minutes against Mallorca and Bayern Munich over the past week.
This situation has been difficult to accept: as captain, as a highly competitive player, and as a club legend who had dominated his position without real competition since returning to Real Madrid in 2013. Carvajal’s performances have been questioned following his recovery from a serious knee injury last season, while he had to deal with another knee problem earlier this campaign as well. What’s happening with Carvajal?
Since returning from his latest injury on 4 January against Real Betis, playing time has become harder to come by than expected, initially under Xabi Alonso and then under Arbeloa. No longer a regular starter. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Carvajal does not share these doubts about his form and fitness and frustration grew until it reached a breaking point in early February.
After being overlooked in games against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia, he was involved in a heated exchange with Antonio Pintus. This led to a direct meeting between player and coach to resolve tensions and clarify the situation. Following the discussion, one immediate consequence was that David Jimenez, who started vs Valencia, returned to Castilla and has not been called up since.