Dani Carvajal’s injury could tarnish the end of his career at Real Madrid.

Dani Carvajal may be experiencing the final moments of his career at Real Madrid, during a critical phase marked by an injury that threatens to abruptly and disappointingly end his connection to the club. The 34-year-old captain suffered a fracture in one of his toes during training last Friday, an injury officially confirmed by Real Madrid on Saturday morning, which could sideline him until the end of the season.

This setback comes at a decisive moment, as Carvajal’s contract is set to expire this summer and his future remains shrouded in uncertainty. The fracture, according to the daily Marca, requires an estimated recovery period of two weeks, which effectively eliminates the possibility of the right-back participating in the most important matches remaining in La Liga.

With the next meeting of Real Madrid scheduled against Espanyol this weekend, Carvajal is ruled out for what could be the last Clásico of his career against Barcelona, set for the following week. Additionally, he is expected to miss the home matches against Real Oviedo and possibly the away clash with Sevilla. His recovery will only allow for a potential appearance in the match against Athletic Club, in the final round at Santiago Bernabéu, raising doubts about his influence in the closing moments of the season.

This injury not only jeopardizes the conclusion of Carvajal’s season at Real Madrid but also effectively nullifies his aspirations to represent Spain at this summer’s World Cup. The Spanish coach, Luis de la Fuente, had left the door open for a call-up if Carvajal could demonstrate full physical condition in the last two months, but the lack of playing time — with only one start since mid-March — and the recent injury undermine those chances. Furthermore, rumors of a disagreement with Álvaro Arbeloa further complicate his situation.

The outlook is particularly bleak for the veteran defender, who has seen his career in Madrid marred by three consecutive seasons of injuries. The absence of any official indication regarding a contract renewal fuels the notion that this could be a bitter farewell for a player who has become an icon and a key figure for the club in recent years.

Dani Carvajal now faces the biggest challenge of his career: recovering in time for the end of the season and trying to secure a dignified farewell to Real Madrid, while racing against the clock to keep the flame of the national team alive. The conclusion of this chapter could be one of the most emotional — and controversial — moments in the recent history of the merengues.

This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).