Carvajal: This team wants to conquer the world
Tears streamed down Dani Carvajal's face when his hamstring gave way during the
Champions League final.
He didn't need to
be told that his Euro 2016
dream was over, but he immediately began looking to the
future.
Today, the Real
Madrid and Spain right-back is a cannon of a player, a physical attacking
threat who makes Los Blancos' right wing flow and whose defensive maturity
makes him Spain's No. 2.
At 24 years of age, Carvajal's future is full of challenges and
looks to be even brighter than the present, which says something given that
this is a player who already boasts two Champions League conquests in only
three campaigns.
You made
your debut with Spain two years ago in Paris [in a friendly against France].
What has changed since then?
"I've been unlucky with injuries in the past year and
couldn't enjoy continuity in the team, so I'm looking forward to a fresh start
with a new coach. I'm excited by the prospect of going to the World Cup in
Russia in strong shape."
Spain's road
to World Cup qualification is not rosy: Italy, Albania away, Israel...
"We have a chance to seek revenge against Italy and it's a
nice match-up, but we can't afford to neglect the rest of the group. Albania
and Israel are strong teams that will take a lot of effort to beat."
Can Spain
return to where it was?
"Yes, because we have a strong foundation and very good
players.
This team wants to conquer the world again, and with a little spark we
can get there."
Iker
Casillas has been the captain as long as you've played for Spain. Do you find
it strange, as Sergio Ramos does, to look around and not see Iker in the squad?
"That's normal, because Iker has been a part of the squad
for so long. He has been a leader for so many years so it has to be weird to
not seem him with us as captain.
But as the coach
says, the door isn't closed to anyone."
You were
part of the core of players that won the Under-21 European Championship with
Julen Lopetegui in 2013...
"I have been fortunate to share a dressing room with Julen.
We became champions in Israel and were dominant, it was wonderful.
We want to repeat
those successes with the senior team."
The basis of
that team is here...
"Many of us come from that U21 team, and we also have
players with a lot of experience like [Sergio] Ramos, [Gerard] Pique, [David]
Silva and [Andres] Iniesta, so it's a strong and balanced squad."
How did you
experience the European Championship?
"It was difficult at first, because I was set to be in the
squad and fulfil a dream. Then, I watched nervously as a fan, biting my nails
and cheering the team on.
It was
disappointing to lose to Italy and come home so early."
What went
through your head when you found out that you wouldn't be at the European
Championship?
"I know my body, and it was clear when I got injured in the
Champions League final that I would likely miss the tournament. It was a big
blow when the medical tests confirmed that I had lost the battle.
But it's
important to consider the positive side. I recovered two or three weeks before
the pre-season and started training on my own, that has allowed me to be in the
great physical shape that I am in now."
Do you see
yourself as a starter with Spain in this new era?
"Not even close.
There are many
good players in my position such as Juanfran, who could return, Sergi Roberto,
Hector Bellerin... we will all fight to make it difficult for the coach."
Are we now
witnessing the best Carvajal?
"I feel good. I'm now 24-years-old and I'm not the
youngster who came to Madrid three seasons ago. Back then, I made more errors
when under pressure. I've matured a lot defensively and offer more clarity
going forward. I think I'm a better player now."In what
areas do you feel you've improved the most?
"I still play with great intensity because that's in my
DNA, but I use my head more. A few seasons ago, I would go overboard at times
and pick up more cards. I'm more controlled in my actions and my positioning is
better.
I pick the right
moments to attack so as to surprise the opponent and create threatening
situations."
Your goal in
Norway [in the final of the UEFA Super Cup] left Europe with its mouth wide
open.
"I felt good physically.
I retrieved the ball and said to
myself that I want to win this, and it happened."
Your path in
club football hasn't been easy. You went to Germany and returned to Madrid to
face competition with Alvaro Arbeloa and then Danilo. What made you the
proudest?
"Becoming a member of the first team squad at Real Madrid.
It's a dream I
had since I joined the club 10 years ago. I had to leave Real Madrid Castilla
and go abroad to earn my return, and found before me a squad that had won
everything with Arbeloa. I gradually earned a starting role, and then Danilo
arrived. I was in the preliminary squad for the World Cup and then missed the
European Championship due to my injury.
These tests make
you stronger."
At 24 years
of age, you already have two European Cups.
"It's not a bad haul! I hope to add to it. I've played in
three Champions Leagues and won two of them.
It seems easy but
it's anything but. There are many great players from the history of football
that don't even have one."
What would
you pick if you had to choose between the Champions League and LaLiga this
season?
"I would be thrilled to win LaLiga because I've never won
it. It's a reward for playing consistently all season.
It would be
special to add the league and Supercopa de Espana to my title collection."
This Real
Madrid transmits a stability that seemed impossible not long ago.
"I see a team where everyone is happy, even though some
play more than others. We all row in the same direction.
If one player
leaves the team, another one comes in with more enthusiasm, and everyone fights
hard for a starting spot in training. [Zinedine] Zidane doesn't have set
starters and substitutes.
Those who play
have earned it."
What are
your thoughts on Real Madrid's rivals?
"I expect Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to fight with us
until the end in LaLiga. The two of them, Bayern Munich, Juventus and
Manchester City are some of the very good teams in the Champions League.
Those are the
teams that tend to remain in the business end of the competition, and a single
mistake against them can kill you."
Real Madrid
boasts the most players in La Roja.
Has this
erased the idea that all the best Spanish players are from Barcelona?
"It's a generational thing. Barcelona had a batch of great
Spanish players. Now, Castilla is on the ascent with [Alvaro] Morata, Nacho
[Fernandez], Lucas [Vazquez], myself... we are at the right age to demonstrate
our level with the national team."
Pique takes
a lot of shots at Real Madrid. What is it like to be around him in the national
team setup?
"He seems like a good guy to me, a joker and always
cheerful. He is a teammate here and the relationship is normal."
He seemed to
taunt Real Madrid when he talked about the Champions League draw...
"Everyone has their opinion and can say what they like
about the draw. Whoever wins the Champions League is the best team in the
competition. I raise my glass to whoever wins, and I don't care about who I
faced."
Who is your
ideal right-back?
"Michel Salgado was my idol. Then when I grew up, my
reference was Philipp Lahm. I have two of his shirts."
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