- Home >
- Soccer >
- LaLiga >
- A Real Madrid Star Returns but His Future Is Uncertain: Xabi Alonso Must Decide What to Do With Him
A Real Madrid Star Returns but His Future Is Uncertain: Xabi Alonso Must Decide What to Do With Him
Dani Carvajal returns to group training after 70 days out and aims to feature in the Spanish Super Cup. Xabi Alonso regains a key full-back while the player’s future remains uncertain.
Carvajal returns to Real Madrid training
Dani Carvajal has returned to group training after nearly 70 days sidelined due to a loose body in his right knee. This gradual reintegration keeps him in contention for a place in the squad for the Spanish Super Cup, offering much-needed relief for Xabi Alonso, who had gone a full month without a natural right-back.
The injury to Trent, the other specialist in the position, on December 3 forced the coach to improvise in the last five matches, using Valverde, Asencio, and academy product David Jiménez. Carvajal’s return helps stabilize a position that has become a recurring problem for Real Madrid in recent seasons and eases the wait for Trent’s recovery.
Beyond tactical balance, Carvajal’s comeback allows Valverde and Asencio to return to their natural roles, strengthening midfield and central defense respectively, an adjustment that could be decisive in high-stakes matches.
A personal comeback still unfinished
Carvajal’s return is a tactical and a deeply personal challenge. The Real Madrid captain has been heavily affected by injuries and is desperate to rediscover consistency ahead of a crucial stretch of the season. Across the last two campaigns, he has played just 20 of the club’s 93 matches, including only eight appearances this season.
Now, with the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia approaching and the World Cup on the distant horizon, Carvajal faces a defining moment. Regaining rhythm is essential, not only for silverware, but for the final chapter of his international ambitions.
Carvajal’s future remains uncertain
While his physical recovery progresses, Carvajal’s future at Real Madrid is far from settled. His contract expires at the end of the season, and despite turning 34 in January, speculation about a possible move away has intensified.
Recent rumors gained traction after Carvajal was spotted in Qatar, posing with a personalized Al Gharafa shirt, a moment that fueled talk of a potential exit and a new challenge abroad. For now, no decision has been made, but the uncertainty hangs over every step of his comeback.
Despite the doubts, Carvajal remains determined to prove his value, showing he can still be a decisive figure in Xabi Alonso’s system, even if his long-term continuity is not guaranteed.
Super Cup pressure and Xabi Alonso’s decision
With Militao ruled out and Mbappé still a doubt, Carvajal’s return offers a timely boost ahead of the Super Cup semifinal against Atlético Madrid. His availability could relieve pressure on Alonso, restoring balance to a squad stretched thin by injuries. For Carvajal, this is a chance to reclaim relevance, compete for a title, and ultimately help shape the decision about whether his future remains tied to Real Madrid or lies elsewhere.
