Carvajal: half an hour sparked the Valverde and Tchouameni crisis, and a frightening matter settled my stance on the Qatari offer
Former Real Madrid captain reveals his relationship with Arbeloa and gives his opinion on Mourinho after the Clasico
The summer of 2026 changed everything for Dani Carvajal. After an illustrious career bound to Real Madrid, the right-back chose to join Getafe, managed by Bordalas, and carry on his footballing career elsewhere.
At his new club the objectives look different, but the ambition burns just the same. That much he made clear to Manu Carreno during his interview on the "El Larguero" programme on Cadena SER.
Despite offers from the Middle East, the former Real Madrid captain picked Getafe. He called it "a decision born of great passion", and said that, above all, he needed "to feel like a footballer again" after a year out through injury.
That horrific injury came at the Santiago Bernabeu. He admits to watching the replays "hundreds of times". It wrecked his level at Real Madrid and ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup.
Carvajal also spoke "frankly" about Real Madrid's current level, his relationship with Alvaro Arbeloa, and how he rates Mourinho's arrival.
Why did you choose Getafe?
Carvajal revealed why he chose Getafe, saying: "Well, in the end it was a decision born out of great passion. Those who know me know that football is my life, that it is what I have done since I was born, and that I enjoy every detail of it. In the past two years, with the injury, I missed that a little, and I wanted to feel like a player again. I believe I am still capable of playing football for years, and I want to keep enjoying it."
He continued: "It was a very long summer, and we had options, but in the end you have to weigh up what is most important to you: your family, the project, the needs of the manager... As I mentioned earlier, I have spent my whole life playing for teams fighting to win, and I always think about what it would be like if I were in a team fighting to survive. That was something that motivated me a lot, and that is Getafe's current goal, so I am here to help them."
Money played no part in the move, he stressed, taking aim at La Liga's salary law. It once made sense, he admitted, but he now brands it "ridiculous" given how hard it is to hide payments in kind.
All he needs now is to enjoy his football. That is why the wage was never an obstacle. He thanked the club president for the guarantees that lifted the salary ceiling, and confirmed he feels very happy.
Reason for withdrawing the Qatari offer
Carvajal has lifted the lid on his talks with Qatari side Al-Gharafa, revealing he had everything in place for a move to Doha.
"Yes, the situation was somewhat advanced, but I experienced the war up close with my brother-in-law (Joselu) in Qatar... and when it affects you personally, it becomes a little scary," he said.
He went on: "In the end, you have to weigh the pros and cons of each contract, and we were a little hesitant about the transfer market in our country. I chose Getafe not only because I am in my own country, but also because it motivates me a lot and I want to help the team."
The cold relationship with Arbeloa
Asked directly about the cold relationship between him and Arbeloa, who ignored his assistance, according to several reports, after his return from injury so he could get the minutes needed to be available among those competing for a place in Spain's World Cup squad, Carvajal said: "I think this question should be directed to Alvaro. He is the one best placed to clarify these statements. I cannot say anything else."
"Things do not always go as planned," he went on, because in the end they are beyond one's control, in reference to the number of minutes he played before leaving the club that had been his whole life.
He added: "I have always respected his decisions, whether I played one minute or more. I spent my entire career as a starter, and suddenly you find yourself not being a starter for a few months, with the World Cup and your contract renewal on the line. But I trained every day and went on every trip with the aim of helping the team. I had no complaints about the club or the coach."
Tchouaméni and Valverde: half an hour that blew the situation wide open
Carvajal played down the dispute between Valverde and Tchouaméni: "It was not that important at all. I have been at Real Madrid for many years, and disputes between players have happened several times. But nothing was ever revealed."
What troubled him was how it got out. "The strange thing is the leaking of the news, because just half an hour later it was published in the press, and I am one of those who believe that the dressing room must stay closed... so that is what bothers me."
Picking a right-back from Dumfries, Alexander-Arnold and Valverde is no easy task. He reckons "the choice is difficult... and Mourinho has to settle it according to the nature of each match and how it unfolds", singling out Valverde's brilliance in the role.
New arrival Yan Diomande earned his praise too. "He delivers a good performance, contributes defensively and has distinctive attacking touches."
How would he handle facing Real Madrid and Getafe? He said he would defend the colours of his current team, hoping Getafe will have secured survival in the Spanish league and Real Madrid will have wrapped up the title before the match.
A return to the Bernabéu as an opponent asks nothing more of him than warm applause from the stands. He has always felt their affection, he said, and still does.
Mourinho's courage and Barcelona's performance
On the Clasico and Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Camp Nou, he said: "I enjoyed it enormously. I think it was a superb match played at a very fast tempo. I did not expect to see Real Madrid play at that level; it was a pleasant surprise. At times, they completely dominated Barcelona. I think Mourinho's approach was very brave."
Had Barcelona's performance surprised him? "Yes, Real Madrid posed a major challenge to them in terms of possession, and they were also coming off a strong performance in the Champions League with several players missing. Ultimately, their style of play is very attacking, with a very high defensive line, and against the big teams, if the opponents are given two chances, they will score at least one goal."
