In 2016, ready to make his debut with La Roja in a major tournament, in the Euro Cup in France, Carvajal broke down at San Siro. 50 minutes into the Champions League final against Atleti, muscle injury. He knew at the time that he would watch the championship from home. His tears betrayed her. The Undécima, at least, was balm, but the bitterness would be repeated on the next attempt. The pandemic postponed the 2020 edition. In 2021, the ownership of the Leganense was non-negotiable. But at the end of April, new setback. The “semimembranosus muscle of the right leg.” Out of another Euro. A dramatic situation caused by recurring physical problems. But Carva, opted to challenge evil fario. He looked for the click and found it. A change in diet removed the ghost, until then perennial, of the injury (He has barely missed two games this season). He arrives in Germany after being one of the architects of the successes of the white treble. Scorer in the Decimoquinta, the best Carvajal now challenges the tournament that has always resisted him. Objective: Euro Cup.
For Luis de la Fuente it is non-negotiable. As for Ancelotti. Fifth most used, with 3,351 minutes, his goal at Wembley was the sixth of the season. More than ever. Only Vinicius (24), Bellingham (23), Joselu (18), Rodrygo (17) and Brahim (12) ahead. Five attackers and one hybrid (Jude). Then, a right back with fangs. In total he has participated in 11 goals, adding his five assists to the equation. The 13 he generated in 2016-17 are gold, after the current campaign. But the finishing touch, MVP of the Champions final, in the best XI of the highest continental competition and direct to the club of the six European Cups (Nacho, Kroos, Modric and Gento accompany him), it has been unbeatable. “Carvajal has gotten up many times after each fall,” analyzed in AS Itziar González, physiotherapist, osteopath, nutritionist and guardian angel of the Madrid fan. In November 2021 they started working together and now, Those 345 days off between 2020-21 and 2021-22 sound very far away. An eternity. Now it is in the olympus of twos.
Ancelotti understood that the success of his new Madrid depended on the flight of his full-backs. In preseason, the sessions led by his son David and Francesco Mauri, the right and left hands of Carlettothey focused a lot on the flight of the bands. Due to the absence of them in the opposite field (especially with the diamond at the dawn of the course), the edge of the sides from their own was essential. A drawing that has allowed Carvajal to shine his band. As the course progressed, the dynamics on the left side, with Mendy more rock than locomotive, were less daring, but the man from Legan has not stopped flying on his highway.
First, be; then dream
Comfortable and decisive in many moments, The header at Wembley, where his 174 centimeters dwarfed the 191 of Hummels and Schlotterbeck, was the icing on the cake. Now he longs, after building an enviable showcase with Madrid (25 titles, only behind the 26 of Nacho and Modric), to touch glory with Spain. He missed the golden cycle between 2008 and 2012 (he debuted with Del Bosque in 2014, at age 22), but He already tasted the Nations League. The appetizer, his first red trophy. If next challenge is dry the tears with a Eurocup finally. His eyes, in the Spain-Croatia on the 15th. At 32 years old, Carva He is facing his last debut. First, be. Then it’s time to dream.
