Carvajal explains why he left Real Madrid

Dani Carvajal has explained why he left Real Madrid and chose to continue his career at Getafe. The 34-year-old former full-back departed the Madrid club last May after a spell in which his role had diminished. Álvaro Arbeloa, then the coach, was no longer counting on him; Carvajal ultimately decided it was better to leave, before joining Getafe after some difficulties in completing the move.

In an interview, Carvajal described a decision that took shape as the season progressed. “From when I returned from the arthroscopy, in January or February, I started to have less importance on the pitch. Then, in the final month, with La Liga almost lost and us eliminated from the Champions League, my circle and the club began talking. We decided it was better not to continue,” he said. He also described the departure as a mutual decision after the season’s objectives had not been achieved, summing it up as “a very passionate decision”.

Carvajal said he did not confront Arbeloa over his playing time. “I didn’t discuss this situation with Arbeloa. I respected each and every one of his decisions about the line-ups. I tried to train well and be available for as many matches as possible, waiting for my opportunity. I respected him right to the end,” he said. He insists he never had any complaint against the club or the coach.

The full-back also spoke about how difficult it was to see his status change after being a regular starter throughout his career, with his contract ending and a World Cup at stake. He said he kept preparing, travelling with the team and accepting even a role limited to one minute on the pitch—or warming up without coming on. Looking back, he believes that was the right approach and says he never lost his temper with the coach or the club. Although he describes his departure as forced, he calls it a “fantastic exit”.

His move to Getafe, he said, was driven by a desire to recover the feeling of playing. Training alone could help him stay fit, he explained, but could not replace the contact, duels and instincts of matches. After missing those sensations during the previous two years, which were affected by an injury, he wanted to “feel like a footballer again”. The atmosphere before playing at San Mamés also reinforced his choice. He says money was not the reason for joining Getafe and is grateful for the club’s efforts to bring him in.

At Getafe, Carvajal says he values a different objective: helping the club stay up and savouring every win like a title. He says he feels comfortable in this new chapter and is happy to be playing again. In Madrid, he adds, the appreciation of supporters who thank him and hope he will return matters more to him than titles. He also wants to decide for himself when his career ends, when his body or enthusiasm tells him the time has come.