Dani Carvajal will depart Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the current season, the club has confirmed.
The 34-year-old made his first-team debut for Los Blancos back in 2013–14. Despite being made club captain last summer, he had been widely expected to leave.
Disappointing Final Season
Carvajal's final season at Real Madrid has been a disappointing one. After returning from an ACL injury, he suffered further fitness issues and faced increased competition for game time from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He has made just 22 appearances in all competitions during a trophyless 2025–26, including just nine starts in La Liga.
Madrid Hails a Legend
Manager Álvaro Arbeloa said of Carvajal: "He might be the most important academy product in the history of the club."
Carvajal worked his way up from the academy to make 450 appearances for Los Blancos and lift 27 trophies, including six Champions Leagues — no player in soccer history has more.
In 2024, Carvajal was named fourth in the Ballon d'Or rankings and made The Best FIFA Men's 11, after scoring in the Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.
Club president Florentino Pérez told the club's official website: "Dani Carvajal is a legend and a symbol of Real Madrid and its youth academy. His image laying the foundation stone of Real Madrid City will forever remain in the hearts of all Madridistas and in the history of our club."
The Bernabéu will pay tribute to one of its icons on Saturday as Carvajal plays his final game for the club in Madrid's last fixture of the 2025–26 season against Athletic Club.
Where Could Carvajal Go Next?
Carvajal will soon become a free agent and an attractive option for clubs this summer. Speaking to The Athletic in 2024, he revealed: "When I decide not to be at Real Madrid, I'm not going to play in Europe and the alternatives are much reduced."
Major League Soccer
MLS could be an attractive option for Carvajal. When asked if MLS appealed to him, he replied: "It's a possibility."
Joining Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at Inter Miami might be unlikely, but there are plenty of clubs who would be happy to offer a contract to a world star with a winning mentality. The Los Angeles clubs, Galaxy and LAFC, have proved attractive destinations for Spanish-speaking stars over the years.
Saudi Pro League
The obvious option. Carvajal, even at 34 and past his very best, offers the kind of clout the Saudi Pro League desperately desires.
However, The Athletic reports that a possible move to Saudi Arabia may be "difficult" at the moment, due to the ongoing geo-political situation in the region. Al Nassr would offer the familiar faces of Cristiano Ronaldo and ex-Barcelona defender Iñigo Martínez.
Qatar
Like Saudi Arabia, Qatar might be a tricky move for Carvajal right now due to the current climate. His brother-in-law Joselu has been playing in Qatar.