Carvajal opens up about his Real Madrid departure

Carvajal explains his May departure from Real Madrid, saying reduced playing time and mutual agreement with the club led to his exit to Getafe.

Dani Carvajal has opened up about his departure from Real Madrid last May after 34 years old. The defender left the club after losing favour under then-manager Álvaro Arbeloa, eventually joining Getafe after some complications in the transfer.

Speaking on El Larguero (Cope), Carvajal revealed the circumstances: "As the season progressed, after returning from arthroscopy in October, from January or February onwards I had less relevance on the pitch. In the final month, with the league almost lost and eliminated from the Champions League, my entourage and the club held conversations and decided it was best not to continue."

The former Spain international stressed he maintained respect throughout the process, saying he never had issues with Arbeloa despite reduced minutes. "I arrived home thinking I trained, travelled, and if I had to play a minute, then a minute or warm up and not enter. Today I believe that was correct. I never rebelled against the manager or the club," he said, adding that despite the circumstances, "I had a fantastic exit."