2 May 2026
Real Madrid announced on Saturday that defender Dani Carvajal has suffered a broken toe, ruling him out of the team's upcoming match against Espanyol on Sunday in La Liga.
The club did not specify the length of his absence, simply releasing a brief statement on its website: "Following tests carried out by the Real Madrid Medical Services on Dani Carvajal, he has been diagnosed with a fracture of the distal phalanx of the fifth toe on his right foot. His recovery will continue to be monitored."
Several reports in Spain indicate that Carvajal's absence could last up to two weeks, meaning he might miss the El Clásico against Barcelona scheduled for May 10th.
The veteran Spanish right-back is experiencing an exceptionally challenging season, having struggled to regain his previous form after a lengthy recovery from a serious cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for nearly ten months.
With his gradual return to form, he found himself facing fierce competition for the right-back position at Real Madrid, where Trent Alexander-Arnold established himself as the first-choice tactician, thus reducing Carvajal's playing time.
Given this lack of minutes at his club and his recurring injury, the 34-year-old's chances of representing his country, Spain, at the 2026 World Cup appear very slim, according to the Spanish newspaper AS.
