Dani Carvajal Opens Up About Struggles with Injuries and Mental Strength in Candid Interview

• RM

Updated 11/16/2023 – 10:31 CET

Dani Carvajal, a prominent player for Real Madrid and the national team, recently shared his experiences in an interview with El País. As he prepares to represent Spain in the European Championship qualifying matches, Carvajal candidly admitted that he has faced significant challenges due to physical issues.

“There was a period during the season when I could only participate in 12 or 15 games. It was not out of desperation, but rather immense frustration,” Carvajal revealed. “I did everything in my power, worked tirelessly, and tried every possible method to recover. However, three weeks later, I would face setbacks again. It didn’t occur to me until then that something must be wrong, that I might be doing something incorrectly,” he expressed to El País.

“I have reached out to Arda Gler to offer my support. I speak from personal experience and tell him, ‘You are not alone; you are not the only one who has faced such challenges,'” Carvajal shared.

Carvajal

Arda Gler, Carvajal’s teammate at Real Madrid, is currently going through a similar ordeal with injuries. Carvajal extended his support to Gler, stating, “I approached him to provide encouragement and reassurance. I told him, ‘You’re not alone; this has happened to others as well.'”

Carvajal also emphasized the importance of working on the mental aspect of his game with a coach. “I held myself to high standards, constantly pushing myself to avoid failure and subpar performances,” he remarked.

“Representing Spain holds immense significance for me. I have always maintained that the National Team represents the purest form of football. It is truly wonderful to make your country proud,”

Carvajal

When it comes to playing for Spain, Carvajal acknowledges its profound importance in his career. He stated, “I have always believed that the National Team embodies the essence of football. It brings me immense joy to know that my country takes pride in my contributions.”

Fighting Criticism

Addressing the topic of handling criticism, Carvajal shared his perspective with El País: “I listen and read what is said about me. Even my father reads the press and shares his thoughts. However, I always tell him, ‘Dad, don’t pay attention to it. It doesn’t matter.’ […] I remember the first leg in Paris when I conceded a penalty to Mbappé… It led to numerous doubts: ‘He’s past his prime,’ ‘He can no longer perform for Madrid,’ ‘He’s slow,’ ‘We need a replacement’… It’s challenging, but from the very beginning, the club has shown unwavering confidence in me, and I am sincerely grateful for that,”

“Piqué may choose not to acknowledge it, but for Real Madrid fans, the three comebacks epitomize our history,”

Carvajal

Lastly, Carvajal responded to Piqué’s comments suggesting that Real Madrid’s recent Champions League victory would not be remembered. Carvajal asserted, “Well, everyone has their own perspective. Piqué may choose not to acknowledge it, but for Madrid fans, those three comebacks symbolize our history. They embody our motto: never give up until the very end. Not every team possesses that spirit.”