The news that has been circulating for months is now official: Dani Karvahal will leave Real Madrid at the end of the current season. The club confirmed in an official statement that one of its most trophy-laden players in the club's history will not renew his contract, bringing to a close an unbelievable 23-year journey.

A player who grew up in the white jersey, Karvahal's journey began in 2002 when he laid the cornerstone for the "Valdebebas" training center as a young boy, and ended as a captain who lifted trophies in all major competitions.

While last season was the pinnacle of his career, the current season has been marred with difficulties. A severe injury in October 2024 against Villarreal kept him off the field for a long time. Meanwhile, the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold significantly reduced Karvahal's playing time, and his dissatisfaction as a substitute culminated after the match at Mestalla.

Despite the bitter taste of the last few months, no one can dispute Karvahal's status. With 450 appearances for the first team and 14 goals, he leaves as an absolute legend.

Karvahal is one of only five players in football history to have won six Champions League titles. Over 13 seasons in the first team, he won a total of 27 trophies: six Champions League titles, six FIFA Club World Cups, five UEFA Super Cups, four La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles, and four Spanish Super Cups.

Individually, 2.024 was his golden year – he was named player of the match in the Champions League final, scoring a goal and making it into the FIFPro World XI. With the Spanish national team, he has also reached the pinnacle, winning the 2024 European Championship and the 2023 Nations League.

- Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude and love for one of the greatest legends of our club and world football. Dani Karvahal is a symbol of our values and has been a part of the most glorious period in our history. Madrid will always be his home - reads the statement from Real.

His final performance in front of the Madrid public will be this Saturday against Athletic Bilbao, when he will lead the team for the last time with the captain's armband around his arm at the stadium that has been his home for more than two decades.

(Telegraf.rs)