"I don't want to close the door on Mbappe"

Real Madrid have enjoyed one of the best seasons in their history, winning La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup. The campaign was characterised by league consistency and magical European nights at the Bernabeu, but there was the bad news of Mbappé's renewal by PSG.

Dani Carvajal, a player who has ended up playing very well for Real Madrid and who was one of the best players in the Champions League final in Paris, spoke about all of this. Now, the right-back gave an interview to 'AS' in which he reviewed the whole season of the 'Merengue' team.

"I'm very proud to have helped the team in the five Champions League titles I've won from the starting eleven. It speaks a little bit about how difficult it is to be at this club at the top of your game and to stay in the starting eleven for so many years. I think only Benzema and Modric share that with me," said the Spaniard.

He went on to explain Madrid's passage through Europe: "We were hoping for a more favourable draw than the one we got. In the end it was PSG. That tie marked everything. In the first leg we weren't good. The second leg was the same, but the magic of the team made us see an opportunity. We realised what the Bernabeu is capable of".

"From then on we seemed to like to suffer and come from behind. Against Chelsea, we played a great game in the first leg and in the second leg they had nothing to lose. They are the most difficult games to play, with the rival attacking. We didn't approach it in the right way. Against City, imagine that. The magic. In two minutes we forced extra time and then we knew we were going to go through for sure", he continued.

He then spoke about his assist for Rodrygo in the 2-1 win over Guardiola's side: "We've all done our bit. Those who have played more and those who have played less have been the key to this group. Everyone who came on contributed. That also speaks to the large and good squad we have".

He also highlighted the level of fear that Madrid can cause: "I think it's more what our opponents feel than what we feel. It influences them more, I have Madrid in front of me, Madrid don't lose finals, Madrid know how to compete in them. We know what we have to do at all times and that's the key".

"The club wants to strengthen the squad and it is logical that they are trying to sign young people. The years go by for everyone and the club is doing a fantastic job. With Vinicius, Rodrygo, Camavinga, or Asensio in his day. They are signing people with experience like Rudiger or Alaba, who have arrived for free. Or like Tchouameni," he said of the team.

Then, he highlighted the figure of Ancelotti: "In terms of the group he is a leader, a point of reference for everyone, every time he speaks everyone puts all five senses to listen to him and understand him. He achieves harmony in those who play more, those who play less, he tries to understand everyone, he has been a footballer and knows that not playing is not an ideal situation. He is a great coach".

"When you win and the rest don't, few people understand that the opponent has been better in that sense. In football, the team that scores the most goals and concedes the fewest wins. We have been the best in that respect. All opinions are respectable, but if you play badly, you don't win five Champions League titles in nine editions.

"Nobody doubts that Benzema should win the Ballon d'Or, any other candidate is far behind him. Not only what he has helped us to achieve, which has been a very important part. Whoever has seen Karim, there is no doubt that he should win it," he added of his team-mate.

Benzema formed a formidable duo with Vinicius: "We know the potential he has and this year he has exploded. He arrived very young and he's been criticised a lot. It's not easy to be so young and wear this shirt. He's been able to cope with everything. Hopefully he'll be here for many years to come".

He didn't want to leave the subject of Mbappe out of the discussion either: "Those who come to Madrid know what it means to come to this club. On the subject of Mbappe, it seemed like it was practically a done deal, but he has made that decision, he will have discussed it with his entourage. I don't want to close the door on him, far from it, but in the future you don't know what's going to happen.

"We are very, very excited. The coach has managed to build a solid group of 50 players. We want people to believe again. At the last European Championship we reached the semi-finals. It will be a nice World Cup, atypical, at Christmas, in winter. I put Spain among the five or six candidates to win," he concluded, talking about 'La Roja'.