Toni Kroos urges fans to give Dani Carvajal a proper send-off as Real Madrid career ends

Toni Kroos publicly urged Real Madrid supporters to give Dani Carvajal a fitting send-off ahead of the right-back’s final match for the club, saying on the eve of the fixture that “one of the greatest is leaving.” Carvajal is due to play his last game for Madrid before his contract expires in June, and Kroos’s message called on Madridistas to celebrate a player he described as “one of our own.” The context for the farewell is significant: Carvajal has become an emblematic figure at the club after a 13-year run since returning from Bayer Leverkusen in 2013, but a knee injury in October 2023 contributed to a dip in form and the club has opted not to renew his deal.

Why it matters

Carvajal’s departure marks the end of a long-serving homegrown career at Real Madrid. As a regular over much of the past decade, his exit has emotional and squad-planning implications: it closes a chapter for a player who came through and anchored the right-back position for years, and it arrives alongside the confirmed exit of fellow defender David Alaba. Both departures will be notable moments for supporters and have potential consequences for next season’s defensive options and transfer planning.

Kroos’s message and reactions from the club circle

Kroos’s note asked fans to “let him leave through the front door” and to make sure Carvajal receives “the farewell he deserves.” He thanked Carvajal personally, saying it was “a pleasure playing with you.” The World Soccer Talk summary also cited comments from Álvaro Arbeloa, who stressed Carvajal’s status as a symbol of what a Real Madrid player should be and urged the crowd to rise when Carvajal is substituted so fans can leave with a great memory.

Player context and recent form

According to the source, Carvajal’s best years were curtailed by a knee injury sustained in October 2023 that forced him to step back and limited his impact in recent seasons. The club’s decision not to renew his contract takes effect when the deal expires in June, formally bringing his long spell at the club to an end. The report notes that Carvajal’s successful run at Madrid lasted 13 years after his 2013 return from Bayer Leverkusen.

The same matchday will also be the final appearance for David Alaba, who leaves Real Madrid after a spell hampered by injuries following his move from Bayern Munich. The club publicly acknowledged Alaba’s exit in a statement that included praise from president Florentino Pérez, who highlighted Alaba’s commitment and an iconic image linked to Madrid’s path to La Decimocuarta.

• Toni Kroos publicly appealed for a strong send-off for Dani Carvajal ahead of his last match for Real Madrid.
• Carvajal’s contract expires in June and the club has chosen not to renew it.
• A knee injury in October 2023 contributed to a decline in Carvajal’s recent form, per the report.
• Álvaro Arbeloa urged fans to give Carvajal a standing ovation when he is substituted.
• David Alaba will also play his final match for Real Madrid; the club issued a statement praising his contribution.

Tribute planning and emotional send-off

The report mentions that the manager used a press conference to confirm he will not continue in his role and also outlined plans for the captain to ensure Carvajal receives a suitable farewell. The source quotes Arbeloa and references the manager’s comments but does not provide a full transcript or name the manager involved in that press conference within the supplied metadata.

What happens next

Carvajal will make his final appearance in the upcoming fixture against Athletic Club. After the match and once his contract formally expires in June, he will depart the club. The report indicates the club and former teammates are preparing tributes on matchday; readers should check official Real Madrid communications for formal announcements about planned ceremonies and any post-match remarks from the player or club. David Alaba will also leave following his final appearance, and the club’s statement—featuring praise from Florentino Pérez—frames that exit as another end-of-season departure.

For confirmation of matchday details (kick-off time, official starting XI, and the precise arrangements for both players’ farewells), and for any further quotes or club statements, consult Real Madrid’s official channels and the full press-conference transcripts, which were not provided in the source metadata used for this piece.