"Dani Carvajal embraces Club World Cup challenge upon Real Madrid return"

the exercise bike, I never dreaded it. I was eager to do it, feeling I was getting better. That’s what helped me most, that mindset. The moment you feel sorry for yourself, it starts going downhill. And, in the end, this is my job. I told myself: ‘Every footballer will be injured at some point; this is yours.’

Now, after months of hard work, Carvajal is ready to return. "There’s no fear," he insists. "If the coach gives me the chance, I’ll be fully prepared. It’s not easy to be out for so long, but I’ve followed the process, I’ve worked every day, and now it’s time to trust myself. I feel good, strong. And when you step back on the pitch, that’s when you really know."

The match against Juventus will be the first real test. "It’s a big game, but I love challenges," Carvajal says. "When the whistle blows, I won’t be thinking about the injury. I’ll just play. That’s all that matters."

For now, his focus is on the final training session before rejoining the squad. After so long away, it’s a moment he has been waiting for. "I just want to enjoy football again," he says. "Everything else will follow."

As the sun sets over Miami, Carvajal knows the journey back has been just as important as the destination. With family waiting at home and the game calling him back, he’s ready for whatever comes next.