Dani Carvajal and Joselu are facing uncertain next steps in their careers as the former Real Madrid players train together at the Spanish Football Federation’s facilities in Las Rozas, Madrid.
The pair are considering their futures during the current transfer window after their contracts with Real Madrid and Qatari club Al Gharafa were not renewed. Both are now looking for what could be a final new challenge before bringing their playing careers to an end.
Despite their reputations and the likelihood of attracting interest from a number of clubs, neither player had decided on his next destination by August, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
Carvajal and Joselu are using the Spanish Football Federation’s facilities to begin preparations for their upcoming challenges. Both are well known within the organisation and were members of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024.
One possible route for Carvajal appeared to be a reunion in Qatar, but that plan changed when Joselu decided not to extend his contract with the club he joined in 2024. The pair are therefore currently in Madrid as they assess their options.
While no decision has been reached, the two players have started their pre-season training separately. A return to playing together would be an attractive possibility for both men and their families, who are related by marriage.
Their recent careers have taken very different paths. Joselu spent two seasons in Qatar and became an important figure for his club. 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 scored 10 times.
Joselu had returned to Real Madrid after a career spent moving between clubs across Europe. At the age of 34, he fulfilled his ambition of playing again for the club he supported, producing a memorable season in which he scored 18 goals.
Two of those strikes came against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final. Following a year of major success with Real Madrid, Joselu made the difficult decision to leave the club after receiving an attractive financial offer. His two-year spell in Qatar has now ended, opening the way for what could be one final adventure.
Carvajal’s situation was more complicated. He suffered a serious injury during Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal at the end of 2024, and his return to first-team football was severely limited.
Real Madrid immediately renewed his contract after the extent of the injury became clear, in a gesture that reflected the club’s respect for and confidence in one of its great players. However, the club took the opportunity to strengthen its options in the transfer market last summer by signing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Strong competition for places, combined with Carvajal’s physical problems, restricted him to 16 appearances last season. Real Madrid subsequently decided against renewing his contract and said goodbye to him in a manner befitting his legacy.
Carvajal leaves after an outstanding career at the club, during which he won six Champions League titles. That achievement saw him equal the record held by Real Madrid legend Paco Gento. He ended his time at the club as captain of the first team, receiving a fitting farewell from supporters at Santiago Bernabeu.
Now, after two contrasting but highly successful careers, Carvajal and Joselu find themselves in the same position: both have the chance to extend their playing days and show they still have more to offer.
The two brothers-in-law continue to train at the Las Rozas sports complex while they wait to decide what comes next. Their careers have followed very different routes, but both players could yet have one final chapter to write.
