When [Real Madrid](https://www.managingmadrid.com) defender Dani Carvajal suffered a devastating knee injury last October, he quickly set his sights on the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup as a milestone for recovery. Now, just days ahead of the tournament’s kickoff, Carvajal’s return to the pitch looks increasingly likely—though it’s clear he’ll need to proceed with caution and patience as he works to regain full form and conditioning.
Carvajal spoke with FIFA and shared that he’s steadily improving.
“I have been sidelined for a long time, and from the very beginning we saw it as a challenge—to try to be in optimal condition for this World Cup. And the truth is that we are doing very well. Having that on the horizon also increases the excitement of coming to train every day, knowing that you can contribute to the team in that tournament,” he said.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be the undisputed starter at right-back during the Club World Cup, as Carvajal continues his careful return. The Spanish international has yet to complete a full training session with the squad, and rushing back at this stage would be risky under any circumstance.
Still, Carvajal believes he’ll be able to get some minutes in the upcoming tournament—an encouraging step that could help him build momentum ahead of the 2025–26 season.