Carvajal explains embrace with Yuri: "I apologised to him"

Carvajal apologised to Yuri after their embrace at San Mamés, referencing a 2023 incident when a challenge left the Athletic player with a fractured fibula.

Carvajal and Yuri made peace at San Mamés on Sunday after Athletic's 4-0 win over Getafe, embracing and speaking briefly at the final whistle. The reconciliation addressed a long-standing tension dating back to the final day of the 2022-23 season, when Carvajal—then at Real Madrid—made a challenge that fractured Yuri's fibula and sidelined him for over two months.

In an interview on El Larguero, Carvajal explained the moment: "It was a grudge we both had. Years ago I made a pretty ugly challenge that caused him an injury, and I spoke to him about it. I apologised at the time and mentioned it again at the stadium the other day, and he told me he'd had a really tough time with it. I told him I was sorry, that I admired him greatly and his whole career, and I hope it doesn't go any further." He described the exchange as mutual and said both players hold each other in high regard.

Carvajal also noted he heard insults from the Athletic crowd during the match—an incident LaLiga has reported—but said they didn't affect him. He praised Unai Simón's Yashin Trophy acceptance speech in London, calling it moving and highlighting its message about gratitude, personal relationships, and collective success.