Real Madrid trigger Dani Carvajal contract clause in classy move after defender carried off in tears and out for season

REAL MADRID have extended Dani Carvajal’s contract until 2026 after his shocking injury that is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season.

Carvajal, 32, suffered a horrific clash with Villarreal ace Yeremy Pino during Saturday’s 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu that caused his leg to bend unnaturally.

The right-back was in such agony that he was immediately stretchered off in tears before boarding an ambulance to undergo tests at a nearby hospital.

The defender posted a selfie from inside the ambulance.

He later wrote on Instagram: “Serious cruciate ligament injury confirmed, I’ll have to go through surgery and be off the pitch for a few months.

“Already looking forward to starting recovery and coming back like a beast. Thank you so much for your messages, I feel very loved.”

Real confirmed the Spain international sustained a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, a rupture of the external collateral ligament and a rupture of the popliteus tendon in his right leg.

The full-back is now set to undergo surgery with initial reports in Spain claiming he will be sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

In a statement, Real Madrid said: “Following tests carried out on Dani Carvajal by the Real Madrid Medical Services, the player has been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteus tendon in his right leg. He will undergo surgery in the coming days.”

The club, though, rallied behind Carvajal at this difficult time with a classy move as they extended his deal, which was running out in June.

The Spaniard has been with Los Blancos since 2002 when he was 10 years old and competed across all of their youth teams.

After a year playing at Bayer Leverkusen, the defender joined Real’s senior team in 2013 and went on to win all major honours, including a staggering six Champions League trophies.

Carvajal’s wife Daphne paid tribute to her husband and thanked the club for their support.

She posted on : “It still feels like a bad dream.

“To see how you were so sad and going through so much pain… and you tried to make me smile. I love and admire you immensely.

“Your path back to where you are the happiest starts today. Stronger. Because you always give your all. You still have a lot to win, my life.

“Thank you for so many messages. And to our Real Madrid family, we felt so loved yesterday, I have no words.”

This comes amid rumours suggesting Real are looking to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract runs out in June.

However, Carvajal’s new deal may have poured cold water on the speculation involving the star right-back.