For a number of years, Dani Carvajal has been irreplaceable for Real Madrid.
The Spaniard is now at the peak of his powers, and is central to Zinedine Zidane’s plans, and will be expected to play a crucial part in what is a huge period as the club continues a natural transition.
Having just had a superb season, helping Madrid clinch La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, the right-back is keen for more success and he wants to be at the center of it all. Having sat down with an exclusive chat with Spanish magazine Esquire, the 28-year old answered a variety of questions:
On why Zinedine Zidane is the ideal head coach at Real Madrid
“His greatest virtue is the tranquility that he transmits to us. He never alters in that respect, whether things go well or badly, he keeps his composure. That is something that we players like, he gives us a lot of peace of mind. He makes us feel that we can all add to something, and that makes his team a winning team. I have won many titles with him, and I learn from his experience daily”.
On continuing to fulfill his dreams
“I would love to win many titles here and I would like to retire in white. I have already won everything with the club and at this level, it is difficult to ask for more but I would like to win a fifth UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid. This era will be remembered as one of the three best in the club’s history. And with the national team, I want to win a title: Euros or a World Cup. For that reason I am working hard.”
On his best individual performances at Real
“The best individual match of my career I think is the final in Lisbon. It was a beautiful match that I will never forget, The best game for Real Madrid as a team? We have played very good games but I think that the Cardiff final against Juventus was the most complete game against any rival.”
On making friends at Madrid
“It’s not easy. When I went to Bayer Leverkusen, where the average age was 23, it was easier. We all shared hobbies, we had no wife or children. At Madrid, everyone has their own lives, and it is such an established club, in which everyone fights so much that there is no time for more, and so private lives are kept on the sidelines.”
On his memories as a youngster at the club
“Predrag Mijatovic’ goal in the Champions League final against Juventus. I remember that I was very young and I started jumping around the room. They are moments that remain with you and you remember them with great emotion.”
On Carvajal’s idols and who he would want to play with
“I had Sergio Ramos as an idol, but since I play with him, I think I would have liked to share a dressing room with Fernando Hierro. Chendo was here many years, Paco Gento is the one with the most Champions League titles and Michel Salgado was also one of my idols, so I would keep a piece of each one.”
