Mati Prats questions Carvajal's curious exile: 'He's fit to play, so why the cold shoulder?'
Radio pundit Mati Prats has raised eyebrows over Dani Carvajal's prolonged absence from the Real Madrid team, suggesting potential tensions with Arbeloa.
Radio pundit Mati Prats has sparked debate by questioning Dani Carvajal’s mysterious absence from the Real Madrid team, despite the player himself insisting he’s match fit.
The Carvajal Conundrum
Something proper strange is happening with Dani Carvajal at the Bernabéu. The veteran right-back has been conspicuous by his absence, with Prats pointing out that “every Tom, Dick and Harry” has played in his position while he watches from the sidelines.
The facts make for peculiar reading:
- Carvajal claims he’s physically ready: “I’m fine, I’m ready to play”
- Madrid have used academy players and repositioned Valverde at right-back
- Even in the Copa del Rey against lower-league Albacete, Carvajal wasn’t selected
- He didn’t even warm up or remove his tracksuit during that match
“I find it hard to believe Carvajal isn’t fit enough for even a brief cameo,” Prats argued on Radio MARCA’s Marcador program. “Isn’t there space to see him, to check how he’s doing?”
Respect Due
The crux of Prats’ argument centers on the respect a player of Carvajal’s stature deserves. This isn’t some wet-behind-the-ears youngster we’re talking about – he’s one of the most decorated players in Madrid’s history.
“Carvajal isn’t just another player. He’s the player with the most European Cups in history. You can’t treat him like a youth player,” Prats insisted, suggesting the issue goes beyond football into matters of institutional respect.
The radio host emphasized Carvajal’s importance as a captain, a reference point, and a constant support for younger players. “Ask in the dressing room how much they miss him when he’s not there,” he added.
The Arbeloa Angle
Perhaps most intriguingly, Prats hinted at potential tension between Carvajal and Álvaro Arbeloa, the former Madrid defender now working at the club.
Prats referenced Arbeloa’s past conflicts with club legends like Casillas, Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo, suggesting his relationship with Carvajal might also be strained.
“I don’t know what his problem is with some Real Madrid legends. Sometimes he wants to be more Catholic than the Pope and ends up going in the wrong direction,” Prats remarked, describing the treatment of Carvajal as “very unfair”.
All this drama unfolds with Madrid just one point ahead of Barcelona in what’s shaping up to be a proper title race. With margins that tight, the question grows louder: can Madrid really afford to keep a player of Carvajal’s calibre watching from the stands?