Real Madrid and Spain have, in recent years, relied on Dani Carvajal as a foundational figure in every sense. Not only for what he brings on the field, but for the intangibles he handles better than almost anyone else – the qualities few captains are able to transmit from that role. Now, though, he finds himself in limbo. Madrid is waiting before making a move, while Spain has reached out to offer calm and reassurance. Still, the reality is clear: he has to play if he wants to be in North America in June and July.

Carvajal knows he has to wait for his moment. There is no alternative. With no concrete word from the club, he understands from the recent experiences of teammates at Real Madrid that any move regarding an extension – or a departure – has to come from the club itself. He saw it with Nacho, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, the latest Madrid greats to leave the club. These are weeks of uncertainty, but he knows there is nothing to do except wait.

There is only one possible path: train, work and be ready when the opportunity comes, then prove that his physical condition is where it needs to be. If there is one thing that has defined the Madrid academy product, it is his ability to overcome difficult moments. He has never lowered his guard and has always believed in himself, and that is exactly what he is doing again this season.

The World Cup is the other issue weighing on the right back. Before the most recent squad announcement, the defender already knew he would not be called up, but he also knew – and still knows – that there is time to force his way onto the World Cup train. Luis de la Fuente has always viewed both him and Rodri as special cases, different from the rest because of how much they bring to the national team.

That is why the Madrid player received a call from Spain’s soccer headquarters in March. He was told that there was still time, that if he could play several games for his club in the final stretch of the season, he could still have a place on the final roster.

Spain’s coaching staff does not see a possible call-up for the fullback as a reward. They see it as recognition for what he has already done and what he can still offer during the team’s training camp in the United States.

One more season for Carvajal

There are seven games left, plenty of pressure and just over a month remaining in the season. What Carvajal does know is that he will do everything in his power to convince first Álvaro Arbeloa and then De la Fuente that he is still capable of performing at the highest level.

As for his future, Real Madrid knows that if it does make an offer, it would be for one more season – a scenario the right back would accept without a second thought.

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