Injured Real Madrid star ‘crazy’ about playing vs Barcelona; will ‘almost certainly’ return | OneFootball

Real Madrid were dealt a big blow late last month as captain and key defender Dani Carvajal suffered a calf injury during the derby defeat against Atletico Madrid.

Initial prognosis suggested that the 33-year-old right-back would be sidelined for four weeks, pretty much ruling him out for the first El Clasico of the season against Barcelona on 26 October.

However, soon after, reports emerged claiming that Carvajal and Real Madrid were both working towards him being fit and available to face the La Liga champions.

Carvajal’s return ‘practically certain’

Now, according to AS, while it is too early to give full guarantees, within Real Madrid the message is one of optimism: it is ‘practically certain’ that Carvajal will be back for the Barcelona encounter.

His injury, originally feared to keep him out for four to five weeks, now points more towards three weeks, and as such, he will ‘almost certainly’ be back against the Catalans.

The concern began on Saturday when Carvajal felt sharp pain in his right leg. As the muscle cooled, the discomfort worsened to a worrying level. By Sunday morning, medical tests revealed a tear in his right soleus. It was not large, but still significant.

With swelling in the area and previous cases in mind, the initial estimate was four to five weeks out. By Tuesday morning, however, the swelling had gone down enough for more detailed examinations, which showed the tear was not as severe as first feared. Optimism grew quickly.

Returning earlier than anticipated? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The revised estimate was reduced to four weeks, and calculations began between the club and the player. With intensive physiotherapy, hours of recovery work and strength training, the target is now three weeks and a little more – just in time for the Clasico.

For Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso, who was already running out of right-back options with Trent Alexander-Arnold almost certainly sidelined, it is a major relief.

A personal objective for Carvajal

Carvajal will definitely miss the matches against Villarreal, the international break fixtures with Spain (Georgia in Elche and Bulgaria in Valladolid), Getafe and Juventus. But he has set his sights on the big one.

For Carvajal, returning in time has become a personal challenge. According to sources at the club, he is “crazy” to play the Clasico and has insisted on exploring every possibility to shorten the recovery period, always without risking his health.

The 33-year-old right-back is devoting himself fully to treatment and recovery work to achieve his goal.

Those at Valdebebas draw a comparison with Jude Bellingham, who through relentless work reduced the recovery time for his shoulder injury from three months to two.