Real Madrid pays a heavy price after their victory over Barca

Real Madrid has officially announced that their captain Dani Carvajal will have to miss games following a right knee injury suffered in the El Clasico against Barcelona.

Dani Carvajal faces an extended period out of action after Real Madrid confirmed the Spanish star injured his right knee during the 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Medical examinations revealed that there is a loose bone fragment in his knee joint, requiring arthroscopic surgery to remove it and repair damaged tissue. In an official statement, Real Madrid said: “After conducting tests on captain Dani Carvajal, he was diagnosed with instability in his right knee joint. Carvajal will undergo arthroscopic surgery soon.”

According to El Partidazo de COPE, the injury could sideline Carvajal for approximately three months, meaning he might only return at the start of 2026.

This is a significant blow for Real Madrid, especially as the team had just welcomed Carvajal back from a calf injury he suffered in the derby against Atletico Madrid in September. More seriously, the new injury affects the same knee where he tore ligaments and tendons last October, causing him to miss most of the 2024/25 season. Given his history of serious injuries, Los Blancos are expected to be extremely cautious in managing the captain’s treatment and recovery to prevent recurrence.

Currently, Real Madrid's options for the right-back position are limited mid-season. Trent Alexander-Arnold, recently recovered from a muscle injury, is expected to take the main replacement role, while Fede Valverde may continue to be adjusted to provide support when necessary. This change will require coach Xabi Alonso to be flexible tactically, as neither Alexander-Arnold nor Valverde are natural right-backs.

For Carvajal personally, this injury is a severe setback in his efforts to regain form and consistency after struggling with fitness. Since taking over the captain’s armband following Nacho Fernandez’s departure, the 2024 Euro champion has worked hard to reassert his leadership role within the transitioning Real Madrid squad. However, being sidelined again forces the Royal Club to rely on temporary solutions to maintain stable performance.

In the coming period, the Royal Club must adapt to the absence of their captain amid a congested schedule of La Liga and Copa del Rey fixtures. Alexander-Arnold is likely to make his first start since returning in the match against Valencia, while Valverde will be ready to serve as backup. Real Madrid’s medical team will closely monitor Carvajal’s surgery and recovery, hoping he can resume training by early 2026 if all goes well.

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