Real Madrid captain sets target for return from injury – ‘My plan is to…’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal suffered a fresh injury setback days after recovering and returning from a calf injury.

The 33-year-old right-back spent close to a month out on the treatment tables and returned to action against Barcelona in October, only to suffer a knee injury that required him to undergo surgery.

The latest setback is expected to sideline the veteran Spaniard for two to three months, with his return unlikely to take place this year.

Carvajal confirms 2026 return target

Confirming the same, Carvajal stated during a brief interaction with El Chiringuito earlier today that he is targeting a comeback in 2026, with a guarantee that he will be 100% fit.

“My plan is to be back in 2026 with guarantee to be 100% fit,” Carvajal told the media, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

Carvajal will not play again in 2025. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

It has been a difficult past year or so for the Real Madrid captain, who was sidelined for almost the entirety of the last season due to an ACL injury.

Having made his comeback in the summer at the FIFA Club World Cup, Carvajal succumbed to a fresh injury in September, after the derby defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Now, he has been sidelined once again, leaving Real Madrid short-staffed in the right-back department, considering Trent Alexander-Arnold is also not 100% fit, having recently recovered from a hamstring injury.

Federico Valverde, as a result, has been filling in at right-back for Xabi Alonso’s team in recent matches and is expected to do so again later tonight against Liverpool at Anfield.