By Ashiadey Dotse
Real Madrid Football Club has announced on Monday, May 18, 2026, that captain Dani Carvajal will leave the club at the end of the current season, bringing to a close an extraordinary career that saw him win 27 major trophies with the Spanish giants.
The club confirmed that both parties have agreed to end their long-standing relationship after a remarkable 23-year journey, during which Carvajal rose from the academy to become one of the most decorated players in the club’s history.
Carvajal, who joined Real Madrid in 2002, spent 10 years in the youth system before making his mark in the first team, where he played for 13 seasons. Over that period, he won 6 UEFA Champions League titles, 6 Club World Cups, 5 UEFA Super Cups, 4 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey trophies, and 4 Spanish Super Cups.
He is also one of only five players in football history to have won six European Cups, highlighting his role in one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.
Individually, the right-back enjoyed an outstanding 2024 season, earning a place in the FIFPro World XI, being named in The Best FIFA Men’s World XI, and winning the Best Player award in the Champions League final, where he scored.
Carvajal made 450 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 14 goals, and was a key figure both on and off the pitch as team captain.
On the international stage, he represented Spain 51 times, winning the UEFA Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez praised Carvajal as a symbol of the club’s identity and values, describing him as a legend whose legacy will remain part of the club’s history.
The club also announced that the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will host a special tribute to Carvajal during Real Madrid’s final La Liga match of the season.
Real Madrid expressed gratitude for his service and wished him and his family the very best in the next chapter of his life.
