Real Madrid greats Carvajal and Joselu face one last career call

Dani Carvajal and Joselu are training together at the Spanish Football Federation’s facilities in Las Rozas, Madrid, as the former Real Madrid players consider their next moves during the current transfer window.

Neither player has had his contract renewed by his previous club. Carvajal has left Real Madrid, while Joselu’s spell with Qatari side Al Gharafa has ended, leaving both men looking for a new challenge as they consider how to prolong their playing careers.

According to AS, their reputations and achievements should make them attractive to a number of clubs. However, with August already under way, neither player has yet decided where he will play next.

For now, they are using the Spanish Football Federation’s training facilities to prepare for whatever comes next. Both are well known within the federation after being members of the Spain squad that won UEFA Euro 2024.

The pair are preparing for the new season separately while their futures remain unresolved. A return to playing together would be an appealing possibility for both families, although no decision has been made.

A planned reunion in Qatari football appeared to be one option for Carvajal before those hopes faded. The possibility seemed to point towards the Spanish defender joining Joselu in Qatar, but the striker’s decision not to extend his contract with the club he joined in 2024 changed the situation. Both players are now in Madrid as they weigh their alternatives.

Their recent careers have followed markedly different paths. Joselu spent two seasons in Qatar and established himself as an important player for Al Gharafa. Although his output fell from his first campaign, when he scored 18 goals and finished as the club’s leading scorer, he still made 24 appearances and found the net 10 times.

Joselu had returned to Real Madrid at the age of 34 after moving between several European clubs during his career. His comeback season remains particularly memorable to the club’s supporters: he scored 18 goals, including both of Real Madrid’s goals against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Despite that successful year with Real Madrid, Joselu accepted a financially attractive offer and made the difficult decision to leave the club he supported and represented. His two-year stay in Qatar has now concluded, creating the possibility of one final career move.

Carvajal’s circumstances have been more complicated. He suffered a serious injury during Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal at the end of 2024, and his return to action was severely restricted. Real Madrid renewed his contract as soon as the extent of the injury became clear, in a gesture that reflected the club’s respect for one of its most important players and its belief in him.

The following summer, however, Real Madrid took advantage of an opportunity in the transfer market and signed Trent Alexander-Arnold. Competition for places, combined with Carvajal’s physical problems, limited him to 16 appearances last season. Real Madrid subsequently decided not to renew his contract and gave him a farewell befitting his legacy.

Carvajal leaves behind an exceptional Real Madrid career, including six UEFA Champions League titles. He also matched the record for the most European Cup and UEFA Champions League victories held by club legend Paco Gento. His final farewell came at Santiago Bernabeu, where he ended his time with the club as captain of the first team.

Now brothers-in-law, Carvajal and Joselu are training at the Las Rozas sports complex while they wait to decide the next stage of their careers. Their journeys have been very different, but both have enjoyed considerable success. The possibility of one last football chapter remains open for each player.