Real Madrid Extends Dani Carvajal Contract Through 2026 Following Severe Knee Injury

Real Madrid announced on Sunday that vice-captain Dani Carvajal has signed a one-year contract extension keeping him at the club until June 30, 2026, delivering an extraordinary gesture of institutional loyalty hours after the defender suffered a catastrophic knee injury.

The 32-year-old Spanish international was stretchered off in tears in the dying seconds of Madrid's 2-0 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu following a traumatic collision with Yeremy Pino while clearing the ball.

Devastating Diagnostic Confirms Rupture of Three Crucial Ligaments

Subsequent medical examinations conducted by the Sanitas Real Madrid Medical Services confirmed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, external collateral ligament, and popliteus tendon in his right leg.

Faced with a career-threatening injury requiring complex surgical reconstruction and an estimated recovery period of eight to ten months, club president Florentino Pérez moved swiftly to ensure Carvajal's contractual security.

“Real Madrid wishes to show Dani Carvajal all our love and affection following this serious injury, and we confirm our absolute commitment to his recovery by extending his contract through 2026.” — Real Madrid Club de Fútbol Official Statement

Institutional Gesture of Loyalty to Club Legend and Vice-Captain

Carvajal, who joined Real Madrid's academy in 2002 and laid the foundation stone of the club's Valdebebas training complex alongside Alfredo Di Stéfano, has won 26 titles during his illustrious career in the Spanish capital.

Teammates including Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé, along with national team colleagues and rivals across Europe, flooded social media with messages of encouragement for the beloved defender.

Sources

• Real Madrid C.F. Official
• LaLiga EA Sports