I would pay a lot of money to experience another comeback at the Bernabéu...

Carvajal joined Getafe after 451 games and 27 titles with Real Madrid, debuting after four months out and now playing with renewed passion for the game.

Daniel Carvajal has begun a new chapter at Getafe after leaving Real Madrid following 451 appearances and 27 trophies. The 34-year-old defender spent four months without competitive football before joining the Madrid-based club, making his debut against Rayo Vallecano on 19 January and subsequently playing as a centre-back in the visit to Athletic Bilbao.

In an interview with AS, Carvajal spoke about his summer preparation, training intensively while waiting for opportunities and even incorporating kick-boxing sessions. He acknowledged the adjustment to playing again after the layoff, noting that while he prepared aerobically during his time away, regaining match sharpness and decision-making speed required actual competition.

At 34, Carvajal reflected on compensating for any loss of pace with experience and positioning, citing examples of modern players like Modrić, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo winning Ballon d'Or awards at advanced ages. He emphasised that his love for football drove the decision to join Getafe, wanting to feel like a player again and play with the passion he had as a child rather than calculating when to retire.