Dani Carvajal’s season has been declared over, and the Real Madrid captain may not play for his home town side again.
The right-back has been diagnosed with a broken toe, and while Madrid have not given a recovery timeframe, it will likely take him past their last match of the season on May 24th.
Shortly after that, Carvajal’s contact expires on June 30th.
Real Madrid said in a statement: “Following tests carried out on our player by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a fracture of the distal phalanx of the fifth toe of his right foot.
“His recovery is pending further evaluation.”
The 34-year-old has only been a bit part player this season due to injury and the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Current head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has also regularly opted against using him in key moments, triggering moments of apparent dissent from Carvajal.
And while it looks very unlikely Arbeloa will stay after a trophyless season, Carvajal’s future remains unclear depending on who comes next.
Carvajal’s Real Madrid captain’s curse
The six-time Champions League winner may also fall foul to the Real Madrid captain’s curse, with the past four to wear the armband all departing the summer after being given it.
Carvajal was given the honour last summer, and would be the fifth after Luka Modric, Nacho, Karim Benzema and Marcelo to depart straight after the honour.
Yet there is also a chance Carvajal could extend his deal, with the current conflict seemingly down to Arbeloa.
The rookie coach was even forced to apologise recently after a heavy handed response to Carvajal’s World Cup hopes with Spain.
“I have 20 or 23 players,” he said. “I think any Real Madrid player has a chance of going to the World Cup, and I’m going to think about what’s best for my team.”
After the media storm he created, Arbeloa said: “My answer the other day was certainly a rather curt and quite serious response to a question I found out of place.
“It wasn’t a curt response regarding Dani Carvajal.
“You can look at all my answers when I’ve spoken about him. You can ask all my players how I talk about Carvajal in front of the group.
“They’re trying to pin an unjustified role on me with Carvajal.
“We share a locker room and position, and despite what many people say, I’ve always had a good relationship with him, I’ve always treated him with affection.
“Anyone who thinks I make the lineups for personal reasons must be someone who would do that.
“I find it hard to believe that any coach in the world doesn’t make line-ups for footballing reasons.”
Yet despite the apology, Spain legend Santi Canizares thinks there’s more to blame for Arbeloa’s decision making.
“Carvajal is the one who forced Arbeloa to retire,” he said.
“When you’re forced out, you feel a tremendous injustice because you believe you’re still capable of playing.”
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