September 28, 2025 — Dani Carvajal, the captain of Real Madrid, will be sidelined for at least four weeks after suffering a calf injury. The club confirmed the setback on Sunday, revealing that the 33-year-old defender sustained the injury during Saturday’s 5-2 loss in the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid in LaLiga.
Carvajal, who has featured in seven of Real Madrid’s eight games this season, was forced to leave the pitch after an hour in the derby match at the Metropolitano Stadium. Spanish media outlet Marca reports that the injury involves the soleus muscle of his right leg.
A Rough Comeback for Carvajal
Carvajal’s injury comes just months after a lengthy absence due to a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which kept him out for almost nine months. He had made his return in July, playing in Real Madrid’s Club World Cup semi-final.
Impact on Real Madrid’s Defense
Carvajal’s absence adds to the growing injury crisis at Real Madrid, with fellow right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and center-back Antonio Rüdiger also currently sidelined. Manager Xabi Alonso now faces a defensive headache, especially with key fixtures coming up, including a crucial Champions League match against Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan on Tuesday.
If Carvajal is indeed out for the reported month, he will likely miss the high-profile El Clásico against Barcelona on October 26, a significant blow for Real Madrid‘s defensive depth.
Real Madrid has yet to provide an official timeline for his recovery, but the absence of such an experienced player will be keenly felt during a challenging stretch of games.
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