Is Carvajal past his prime at Real Madrid?

Carvajal is no longer an untouchable player at Real Madrid.

The applause at the Bernabeu after the derby on March 22nd for Dani Carvajal was not just recognition for a good performance. It was also a tribute to a long journey. For many, those may have been his final moments in a Real Madrid shirt.

But top-level football doesn't live on memories. Just days later, Carvajal was back on the bench. He didn't play a single minute against Mallorca and Bayern Munich. For a player who had been virtually unrivaled at right-back for over a decade, it was a huge shock.

Carvajal is going through the most difficult period since returning to Real Madrid in 2013. Two knee surgeries within a year have significantly affected his physical condition.

But the issue isn't just about physical fitness. The environment has changed. Competition has increased. New options have emerged. And Carvajal is no longer the default choice.

From being a leader in the dressing room, his influence gradually diminished. He no longer started regularly. His familiar role was narrowed. For a player with such a strong competitive spirit, this was difficult to accept.

Carvajal is nearing the end of his time at Real Madrid.

The dissatisfaction began to show. When he wasn't given a starting spot against Rayo Vallecano, tension arose between Carvajal and coach Alvaro Arbeloa. A week later, the decision to give young David Jimenez a starting place against Valencia further strained the situation. Carvajal's reaction was no longer kept secret; it was evident on the pitch after the match.

The situation culminated in an incident during training. Carvajal made a very strong tackle on a young Castilla player, causing the player to suffer a knee injury. That incident highlighted the pressure and frustration that had been building up for a long time.

However, things didn't go entirely smoothly. An unexpected opportunity arose for Carvajal before the derby when Trent Alexander-Arnold arrived late for training and lost his starting place. Carvajal was given the chance and took full advantage. He played solidly, showed his experience, and contributed to the team's positive result.

More importantly, that performance helped mend the relationship between him and the coach. Carvajal appreciated Arbeloa's handling of the situation, and it showed that he still has value in big matches.

But that was just a brief moment of brilliance. After the derby, Carvajal returned to familiar reality. He continued to sit on the bench. No more regular playing time. No more central role.

Carvajal faced a harsh reality.

The image of Carvajal sitting silently on the bench, his eyes vacant after the defeat at Son Moix, speaks volumes. It's the image of a player who once stood at the pinnacle, but now has to adapt to a new role.

At Real Madrid, change always happens quickly and decisively. There are no exceptions, not even for the club's legends. Carvajal is facing that rule in the clearest way possible.

The issue now isn't just about a place in the squad. It's about the future. As playing time decreases, opportunities to be selected for the national team and participate in the World Cup, the ultimate major goal of their career, are also affected.

Carvajal was once a symbol of consistency and resilience. He was the type of player who consistently maintained his form over many seasons. But at this point, the biggest challenge isn't on the pitch. It's adapting to the new circumstances.

For a player like Carvajal, the hardest thing isn't failure. It's accepting that he's no longer in the same position as before.