Dani Carvajal Childhood Story (What you didn’t know)
rDani Carvajal’s childhood story
About Dani Carvajal’s childhood, he was born on January 11, 1992, in Leganés, in central Spain, to Lola Ramos and Mariano Carvajal. Dani is of completely Spanish origin and was raised in Leganés, which reinforces his roots in the city. He grew up with his sister, Patricia Carvajal, and since he was a baby his parents took him to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
His father used to put him on his shoulders to celebrate goals, which made Dani fall in love with football. He developed a strong connection with Real Madrid from an early age, and playing football with friends became a common activity. His passion led his parents to sign him up for Real Madrid’s youth teams, where he began to hone his skills.
Dani Carvajal’s story in the youth academy
Dani joined Real Madrid’s youth academy at the age of 10 and, over time, rose through the ranks of the team. One of his most memorable moments was when he was honoured during an official ceremony at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training centre, where Alfredo Di Stefano awarded him for his efforts in being the best player on his team. In 2010, Dani joined Real Madrid’s reserve team (Real Madrid Castilla), where he became captain.
He played 38 matches and helped the B team return to the Segunda División after a five-year absence. However, as he failed to establish himself in the first team, Dani was transferred to Bayer Leverkusen, with Real Madrid maintaining a buy-back clause.
Dani Carvajal’s history at Bayer Leverkusen
On 11 July 2012, without having made a single appearance for Real Madrid’s first team, Dani Carvajal signed a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen. The transfer was completed for a reported fee of €5 million, with the Spanish club including a buy-back clause: €6.5 million after one season, €7 million after two and around €8.5 million after three.
Carvajal made his Bundesliga debut on 1 September 2012, contributing to Leverkusen’s 2–0 win over SC Freiburg, earning him a nomination for the Team of the Week. His first goal came on 25 November, when he scored in a 2–1 win against TSG Hoffenheim.
At the end of his only season in Germany, Carvajal was voted one of the three best right-backs in the Bundesliga, behind only Phillip Lahm (Bayern Munich) and Atsuto Uchida (Schalke 04), receiving 16% of the fans’ votes.
Return to Real Madrid
On 3 June 2013, Real Madrid exercised the buy-back clause and brought Carvajal back for approximately €6.5 million, making him their first signing of the 2013–14 season. Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler confirmed the Spanish club’s decision, highlighting the full-back’s excellent performances in the Bundesliga. At his official presentation, Carvajal expressed his happiness at his return, thanking the president, the fans and the club.
He made his La Liga debut on 18 August 2013, in a 2–1 win against Real Betis. Shortly after, on 17 September, he played his first UEFA Champions League match, playing the full 90 minutes in a 6–1 win over Galatasaray. In his first season, he made 45 appearances and scored two goals in the league, against Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna. He also played a key role in the Champions League final, playing 120 minutes in a 4–1 win over Atlético de Madrid.
In the following years, Carvajal established himself as a regular player, playing in the 2014 UEFA Super Cup triumph against Sevilla and the FIFA Club World Cup against San Lorenzo. In 2015, he extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2020. During the victorious 2015–16 Champions League campaign, he scored a goal against Shakhtar Donetsk, but was replaced due to injury in the final against Atlético de Madrid.
2015-2016
On 9 August 2016, in the UEFA Super Cup, he scored the winning goal in the 3–2 victory over Sevilla in the 119th minute. In the La Liga season, despite physical problems, he contributed to the title win. That same year, he was in the Champions League final, where Real Madrid won their third trophy in four years.
His contract was extended until 2022 in September 2017. During that season, he struggled with heart problems, but returned in time to participate in the victorious 2017–18 Champions League campaign. In the final against Liverpool, he left the field injured, but the team won 3–1.
Carvajal continued to be a key player in the squad. In 2019–20, he helped Real Madrid win La Liga. In July 2021, he extended his contract until June 2025. On 1 June 2024, he scored a header in a 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, becoming, alongside Luka Modrić, the first player to win six Champions League finals.
2024–25
In the 2024–25 season, with the departure of Nacho, he was promoted to vice-captain of the team. However, on 5 October 2024, he suffered a serious knee injury during a game against Villarreal, being sidelined for the rest of the season with an estimated recovery time of between eight and ten months. The day after the injury, he extended his contract until 2026.
Dani Carvajal’s family history
Dani Carvajal’s parents
Carvajal has always understood the importance of family and still does. To show his commitment, he always finds the perfect moment to relax with his parents after watching games at the Santiago Bernabéu .
Below is Dani relaxing after playing with her father (Mariano) , mother (Lola) and sister (Parica) .
Who is Dani Carvajal’s wife
Daphne’s life today is very different from her upbringing. Carvajal’s wife was born in 1990 into a small family in Madrid. She focused on her studies at school and aspired to be a model. She became a successful model after working with major clothing and jewelry brands and in fashion shows.
Dani Carvajal’s wedding
Dani, 30, and Daphne, who have two children, exchanged vows in front of 250 of their closest friends and family on June 24, 2022.
Children of Dani Carvajal
Carvajal has two children from his relationship with his wife Daphne Cañizares.
In July 2023, the couple gave birth to their second child, Mauro. Daphne announced the same via Instagram.
Dani Carvajal’s family life
Carvajal is married to Daphne Cañizares, with whom he has one son. His wife’s sister, Melanie, is married to Carvajal’s former Madrid teammate Joselu . His father is an inspector in the National Police .
Personal life
- Dani is an independent player, who has progressed both in his personal and professional life.
- He is a natural leader, capable of planning his career and family life, although he is not yet married.
- His ability to learn from mistakes, especially in his relationship with Marta Morales, helped him grow.
- Dani makes the most of what life has to offer, without focusing only on the material.
He tends to be wary of people and is known by his nickname “Kiwi Head”. - He values his girlfriend, family, Spanish traditions and quality artisanal products.
Dani Carvajal’s heart condition
Dani Carvajal faced a major challenge in his career when he was diagnosed with a viral infection in his pericardium, which kept him off the field for at least two months. During that time, he was banned from training. Fortunately, Dani made a full recovery from the condition, much to the relief of himself and his fans.
Playing style
Carvajal is known for his consistency, aggressive style and his ability to assist his team in both defence and attack. A tenacious and tactically intelligent player, defensively he is known for his positioning, mentality, approach, anticipation and ability to intercept loose balls. Going forward, he also possesses excellent technical and crossing skills , as well as an ability to advance with his overlapping runs due to this awareness. In terms of physical qualities, he also stands out for his speed, energy and work rate, despite his diminutive stature. He is also highly regarded for his leadership qualities. Despite his ability, he has often struggled with injuries throughout his career.
References
“Top 5 Facts About Dani Carvajal That You Probably Didn’t Know”. Onefootball
“Diving Deep Into Dani Carvajal’s Family- All About Spain Star’s Father Mariano & Mother Lola Supporting Him at Euro”. EssentiallySports
“Carvajal | Official Website | Real Madrid C.F.”. Real Madrid C.F
“The Rise of Dani Carvajal”. Managing Madrid
“Dani Carvajal – Biography”. IMDb
“Dani Carvajal shares his football experiences with children in Panama”. Marca
“Dani Carvajal Height, Weight, Age, Nationality, Position, Bio”. FOX SPORTS
“Dani Carvajal Facts for Kids”. Kids encyclopedia facts
“Daniel Carvajal Biography, Career Info, Records”. Sportskeeda
“Dani Carvajal Biography”. ESPN
