Trent Alexander-Arnold's position as Real Madrid's primary right-back has been strengthened following reports that Dani Carvajal may have played his last match for the club. Carvajal has fractured the fifth toe on his right foot and is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks. With the season drawing to a close and his contract nearing its end, the 34-year-old could be heading for the exit.
Carvajal's Injury Woes
The veteran defender missed Real's 2-0 away victory over Espanyol on Sunday and faces a race against time to feature again this month. His campaign has been plagued by injuries, with knee and muscle problems limiting him to just 20 appearances across all competitions. In contrast, Alexander-Arnold has made 27 appearances since joining from Liverpool in 2025/26 and is solidifying his place in the starting lineup.
Carvajal has amassed 448 appearances for Real over 13 years, having risen through the club's academy. He is regarded as a legend at the Bernabeu, but his time there appears to be ending. His age and persistent injury issues mean Real are not planning to extend his contract, which expires at the end of June. According to Marca, this latest injury 'effectively ends his career', and any chance of making Spain's World Cup squad has evaporated.
Manager's Hopes
Speaking after the win over Espanyol, Real manager Alvaro Arbeloa expressed hope for Carvajal's return: "I'm really hoping he can play before the end of the season, that he can recover and finish the season playing on the pitch, which is what Dani Carvajal deserves, right?"
Real Madrid is heading for a disappointing campaign without a trophy, prompting a summer of change. Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January, is likely to be succeeded, with Jose Mourinho among the candidates. However, Alexander-Arnold is expected to remain as the first-choice right-back. The 27-year-old has contributed five assists this season and aims to stay injury-free in 2026/27 after missing 22 matches due to his own fitness issues.
Alexander-Arnold appears unlikely to make England's World Cup squad after Thomas Tuchel omitted him from recent friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Tuchel explained: "It was a slightly different profile of players who were with us in camp and who performed so well. We just stick to these guys that is on his back and maybe he was with us in June and he should have maybe deserved a second chance. It is a very hard decision. I'm aware of it, but yeah, he took it on his chin. He will keep on going."
In response to the snub, Alexander-Arnold posted "Madrid, nothing else" on Instagram, a reaction Tuchel described as "fair enough".
