Dani Carvajal, who is a captain of Real Madrid, is suffering another blow now, as he is about to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, after a loose body was found. The 33-year-old veteran defender has had a history of injuries in the last year, including ligament and tendon ruptures that kept him off the field much of the 2024-25 season.
The most recent blow was only a day after Carvajal was a 19-minute sub in Real Madrid’s dramatic 2-1 El Clasico victory over Barcelona. It is early being reported that he may be out of the field for up to three months and thus miss the rest of the 2025 La Liga season.
Here, Real Madrid will have to make changes rapidly, and the possibilities of Fede Valverde, who played right back during the El Clasico, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is recently back after an injury, may be discussed. Both tactically and psychologically, Carvajal has been a backbone to the team, and the team will be required to be able to replace him on the field.
Fans and analysts are left to consider how Real Madrid can sustain its lead in the La Liga without its long-time captain. Although Carvajal has been resolute, the frequency of his injuries concerns the time and length of his recuperation.
The surgery of Carvajal reminds us about the physical impact on elite players and how even a professional is prone to degeneration. Real Madrid’s management and coaching team are now confronted with the problem of finding a way to survive the season with one of their most effective defensive leaders gone.
