Dani Carvajal and Joselu have reunited in Madrid, training at the Spanish Football Federation’s Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas as they consider what comes next in their careers. Neither player renewed his contract with his respective club, Real Madrid and Qatar’s Al-Gharafa, and both are now looking for one final adventure before bringing their playing careers to an end.
Both players have the profile and reputation to attract plenty of offers. However, with August already underway, neither has decided what his next step will be. In the meantime, they are using the Spanish Football Federation’s facilities to begin preparing for their next challenges. Both are well known at the training center and were members of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning team.
One option for the Spanish right back’s future disappeared before it ever materialized. Everything seemed to point toward the brothers-in-law reuniting in Qatari soccer. However, Joselu’s departure from the club he had represented since 2024 changed those plans. That has left the pair in Madrid as they consider their respective futures, beginning preseason training on their own while they wait for the right opportunity.
A reunion on the field is undoubtedly something both would welcome.
Very different recent experiences
The last few seasons have been very different for the two players.
Joselu, who spent two seasons in Qatar, became an important player for his club. Although his production dipped compared with his first season, when he scored 18 goals and finished as the club’s leading scorer, he still made 24 appearances and scored 10 goals.
The Galician striker had just enjoyed a dream season at Real Madrid when he made the difficult decision to leave the club he had always wanted to play for in favor of an offer that was financially impossible to turn down. After two seasons in Qatar, that chapter of his career has now come to an end as he looks for one final challenge.
Carvajal’s situation was more complicated. After suffering a serious injury against Villarreal in late 2024, his return to Madrid was largely symbolic. The club renewed his contract as soon as the extent of the injury became clear, a gesture of respect and trust toward one of its legends.
However, the following summer, Real Madrid took advantage of a market opportunity and signed Trent Alexander-Arnold. The increased competition, combined with Carvajal’s physical problems, limited the Leganés-born right back to just 16 appearances during the most recent season.
After that, the club decided not to offer him another contract, instead giving him a farewell worthy of his legacy.
One last challenge for Carvajal and Joselu
After two completely different careers, Joselu and Carvajal now find themselves in the same situation. Both are looking for one last challenge that could extend their careers and give them the chance to prove there is still plenty of soccer left in them.
Joselu, who has enjoyed a journeyman career across Europe, finally fulfilled his dream of returning to Real Madrid at the age of 33. His memorable season, which remains fresh in the minds of Madrid fans, included 18 goals and a starring role in the Champions League semifinals, when he scored twice against Bayern Munich. He then chose to pursue an offer that was financially impossible to refuse.
Carvajal, meanwhile, enjoyed an idyllic career at Real Madrid. From helping lay the first stone at the club’s Valdebebas training complex to winning six Champions League titles, he became the most decorated academy graduate in the club’s history with 27 trophies.
He also matched club legend Paco Gento’s record of six European Cup and Champions League titles. Ultimately, he brought his Real Madrid story to a close as club captain, receiving a hero’s farewell at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The brothers-in-law are now training together at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas while they wait for clarity on their futures. Their next moves will bring two very different but equally successful careers toward their final chapters, with both players waiting for the opportunity to embark on one last adventure.
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