Dani Carvajal Sends a Message While Being Erased by Arbeloa at Real Madrid
Dani Carvajal Calls for Patience After Sitting Out Again for Real Madrid
Dani Carvajal, captain of Real Madrid, was left without playing time once again in a match he expected to feature in: the game against Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu. After the match, the right-back trained and shared a message on social media appealing for patience as he works to regain his lost role following injury.
“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to maintain a good attitude while waiting,” Carvajal wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of his training session.
Carvajal’s 2026 situation
His coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, once again left him on the bench and did not bring him on as a substitute, despite the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold due to injury, who could return in the next match against Valencia.
Carvajal has played only 27 of 810 possible minutes in the nine matches of 2026. Since his recovery on January 3 from the arthroscopic surgery for the injury he suffered in El Clásico on October 28, 2025, the Madrid captain has not seen continuity under either Xabi Alonso or Álvaro Arbeloa.
He has logged just 13 minutes against Albacete and 14 against Monaco, and in the last three games (Villarreal, Benfica, and Rayo) he hasn’t appeared on the pitch.
Message of patience and hard work
Sources close to Carvajal confirm that his physical condition is good, with no issues in his operated right knee, and that he is working hard in training to earn his opportunity. Arbeloa recently emphasized that the goal is for Carvajal to gain consistency in training before “adding minutes” to avoid any setbacks.
The word “patience”, highlighted by the coach, was echoed by Carvajal on social media, reflecting his readiness to wait for his moment in a position currently occupied by Fede Valverde, playing out of his natural midfield role.
