Carvajal talks Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid contract, Euro finals

Dani Carvajal may not have played a part in Spain’s semi-final win over France at the ongoing Euros, but he has been an integral part of the team in virtually every other clash he featured in.

Now having served the one-game ban sanctioned on him, the veteran is set to return to the starting lineup for the all-important final against England. In just his first Euro for Spain at the senior level, Carvajal is one step away from taking home the crown.

The Spaniard’s interview began with him looking forward to the Euro final on Sunday, thus setting the mood for the long list of topics to be discussed thereafter.

“I have always said that national team football is very beautiful and the purest because there are no signings. Having the opportunity to represent your country and trying to bring the flag as high as possible is more special to me.”

“On Sunday we can do something historic such as getting a new European Championship,” he added.

On Lamine Yamal

Barcelona’s young sensation Lamine Yamal is the hottest talent in world football. At just 16 years of age, he is touted as the favourite to be named the player of the tournament and has lit the field up for La Roja.

“In the locker room, we don’t think what team each one comes from. We have a great atmosphere, no one looks at anyone over their shoulder, and there are jokes. The group is impressive,” Carvajal began on Yamal, keeping the club-level rivalry apart.

The Real Madrid veteran then elaborated on what made the young winger so special and his partnership with Nico Williams.

“[He is] Very good. The truth is that he is with Nico Williams all day. And sometimes we have talked about the age difference.”

“At the age of 16, I was winning the national cup with the youth team and he is making the difference in a European Championship. It’s impressive,” he added.

It is almost staggering that the youngster is showing the world such levels while still being a school-going child, and Carvajal admitted that it was beyond normal to witness such a rapid ascendency.

“I think he’s not aware of what he’s meaning right now. He focuses on playing the games and does it as if he were playing with his friends. And that’s the good thing about him, that in the end that seamlessness is contributing many things.”

“And as I said, we have to take care of him, we have to pamper him a lot not only in the Spanish national team but also in Barcelona because it is not easy to manage all the impact he is having at this age,” he added on Yamal.

Elaborating on whether the youngster would be the next big thing in football, Carvajal said,

“There have been many cases in soccer of young players who at the age of 20 did not give for more and you also have to have some patience with Lamine Yamal and take care of him to mark an era.”

Carvajal is playing his first Euros for Spain after being injured for the last two editions, while on the other end of the field, Yamal is equalling the same achievement at the age of 16. Quizzed about the bizarre achievement, he said,

“We are living our first experience in a Euro final and we are trying to transmit the experience we have in important matches. But it’s a nice mix between veterans and youth.”

Finally, the right-back was asked about his dynamic with the emerging Spanish phenom, especially considering that both play on the same flank for Spain.

“I know that Lamine makes a difference in the attack and maybe I don’t demand that he help me as much as Valverde or Rodrygo. And that’s why sometimes I try to free him more from certain efforts.”

“We have to know the player next to us and we all adapt to the teammate because that makes the team better. Against Germany, for example, Raum went up a lot and asked for help from Le Normand or Rodri so that Lamine didn’t wear out so much,” he added.

On Real Madrid-related topics

Spain’s win over France marked the end of Kylian Mbappe’s quest at the Euros, and the youngster is now set to arrive in Madrid. Carvajal, however, revealed that he did not meet his to-be teammate at the game.

“I didn’t have the opportunity to see him, or to talk to him after the game because with the celebration and the final euphoria, there was no time.”

“We all know the level that Kylian has and Real Madrid always tries to sign the best. He is a player who arrived as a free agent and I think there is no doubt that he will help us a lot. Let’s hope he helps us to continue making history,” he added on Mbappe.

Carvajal also provided an update on his contractual status, stating that he was willing to stay at the club for longer.

“Not yet. I have a contract until 2025, but I will remain at Real Madrid until the club wants to continue counting on me.”

Finally, the Real Madrid superstar gave his two cents on the Ballon d’Or race and whether he would like to win the accolade given his stellar season for club and country.

“Doesn’t even cross my mind. But if the time comes for me, I will be the happiest person in the world. And, on the other hand, as you said, I have overcome very difficult moments and I feel very proud of it.”

“It’s not easy to suffer injuries, enter apart and see that you don’t arrive to join the group. But now I enjoy every moment on the pitch after those bad times and things are going very well,” he added on his struggles.

Carvajal signed off from the interview at the same point where the interactions began – the upcoming final vs England.

“I hope we can win the European Championship on Sunday, which will mean a lot for me.”

Source: COPE