Dani Carvajal and ten years of passion for Spain
In the changing rooms of the Rajko Mitic stadium, where everything was laid out perfectly before the clash against Serbia, the captain's armband of the national team was, for the first time, next to the shirt with the number 2 shirt, that of Dani Carvajal. After exactly 10 years with Spain (his baptism came in Paris, in a 1-0 friendly defeat to France), he was wearing the armband for the first time, a source of infinite pride and the reward for a wonderful career. ‘Time passes quickly, but I can be proud that in these 10 years all the coaches have put their faith in me. I'm very grateful to the Federation for the support they've given me from day one.
He remembers that first day well and also all the obstacles he has had to overcome and which have made him the player he is, a reference in his position for young fullbacks and his work has been recognised by planet football, as, only the other day, he was nominated for the Balón de Orol. ‘You mature as a person. I was only 21 or 22 years old. In the end, you change, you improve, you try now to be an example and a role model for the youngsters. On the pitch you also improve with experience, but I still play with the same desire and enthusiasm as ever.
Nothing has come for free on this journey and Carvajal has had to work his socks off, the competition has been fierce. ‘I've never had a guaranteed starting place, I've always had great teammates and great rivals in my position. It's been hard for me to get that starting spot and now I seem to be getting it more regularly at my club and that means that for Spain I have had better chances too’.
A winner of every trophy going with his club Real Madrid, he is now enjoying the rise of the national team, which is why the fact that he was given the captaincy for the first time last Thursday against Serbia is all the more significant. ‘It was a tremendous source of pride. Above all, being able to start the match wearing the captain's armband, it means a lot to me. Being the captain on the pitch is recognition for a long career, for a lot of effort and sacrifice. It was a very special day. Of course, he kept to his rituals, little habits that help him to concentrate before every match. ‘If I start the game, I hang it (the shirt) above the locker. And the knock on the door is also one of them. These are things that have been good for you and you try to do them so you don't get distracted by other things around you.’
Physically he is strong and healthy and is also enjoying a sweet moment on a personal level with a close-knit family that encourages him to keep growing, devoted to his wife and children. ‘Having stability off the field of play has an impact on the inside as well. Coming home, having your own home, feeling the support every day... For our profession it is very important’.
There are few players in the world with his record at club level, a track record that also shines through with the national team in these times of increasing success. ‘It's not bad, it's not bad... In recent years we've had a lot of glory. Recently there was the European Championships. I have always wanted to win a major tournament with Spain and now we have the challenge of retaining the Nations title, so we'll go for it’.