Dani Carvajal has no intention of playing for any European club other than Real Madrid, describing a move to MLS as a possibility at the end of his career.
Carvajal came through the ranks at the Santiago Bernabeu before spending a lone season in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen in 2012-13.
Since returning to Madrid, Carvajal has built a legacy as one of the club's most decorated players, winning LaLiga four times, the Champions League on six occasions and the FIFA Club World Cup five times.
Carvajal scored the opener as Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in last season's Champions League final, then played a key role as Spain won a record-breaking fourth European crown at Euro 2024.
Carvajal saw fellow Madrid stalwart Toni Kroos hang up his boots after that tournament and sees his own contract expire next year, but he has no intention of moving or retiring in the near future.
"I have until next summer on my contract. I'm not considering retirement at the moment. I talk about it with my family," he told The Athletic.
"I want to enjoy every game, every training session. As the years go by, you realise you have to give more value to every moment and enjoy it.
"The relationship I have with the club is very transparent, very clear. If both parties agree to continue, I hope to stay here for many years."
Pushed on where his future could lie when he does leave the Spanish capital, Carvajal talked up the prospect of following Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to the United States.
"It's a possibility. When I decide not to be at Real Madrid, I'm not going to play in Europe, and the alternatives are much reduced," he said of moving stateside.
Asked if that meant he would have to choose between MLS, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Carvajal said: "Exactly, it would be one of those three options."
Madrid have taken eight points from their first four games of the season in LaLiga, already sitting four adrift of early pacesetters Barcelona, who have a perfect record.
That is despite Los Blancos finally bringing in long-term target Kylian Mbappe, and some have questioned whether the Frenchman can play in the same side as Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Carvajal is confident they will make it work, though, saying: "It's clear that the three feel comfortable playing on the left, but last year I had a lot of space on the wing and it boosted my attacking play a lot.
"This year, I don't think there will be any problems. When you don't have the ball, you have to be structured, but when you have the ball, the coach gives us more freedom. The system is up to the coach; he's the one who decides."
Barbados names 23-man squad for 2024/25 CONCACAF Nations League campaign
The Barbados Football Association (BFA) has officially named its National Senior Men’s Squad for the upcoming 2024/25 CONCACAF Nations League C campaign. The 23-man squad, alongside the management team, is set to travel to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands this Thursday as they prepare for their opening matches.
Head Coach Kent Hall has expressed optimism about the team's development, building on the groundwork laid during the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers and has chosen to blend experience with fresh talent as he looks to revitalize the squad following a challenging period.
Notably absent from the squad are Weymouth Wales’ Nadre Butcher and Elijah Downey, along with Tajio James and Akeem Hill. The squad will also be without the services of Thierry Gale, who is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in February. Hall emphasized the importance of fitness and readiness for the physical demands of international football as key factors behind the selection of the new-look squad.
In goal, Nicoli Brathwaite will take the lead, providing a solid foundation for the team’s defense. In defense, the likes of Andre Applewhaite, who will captain the side, along with Ackeel Applewhaite, Sheran Hoyte, and Shay Prescod, are expected to form a formidable backline. These players will be joined by Khimani Cox and Nathan Walters, offering further defensive strength.
Midfield duties will be handled by experienced players such as Hadan Holligan and Jireh Malcolm, who will work alongside younger talents like Nathan Sealy and Justin Griffith. Hall’s midfield selection highlights a blend of creativity, dynamism, and control, which will be essential in executing the team’s game plan.
In attack, the team will look to the pace and precision of players like Ricardio Morris and Ethan Taylor, both of whom have proven their goal-scoring capabilities. Khalil Vanderpool-Nurse and Mario Williams are expected to add further depth to the attacking options, ensuring Barbados can compete at the highest level in their matches against The Bahamas and the US Virgin Islands.
Disappointed Maatsen willing to wait for maiden Netherlands cap
Ian Maatsen is disappointed not to have made the cut for the Netherlands' Nations League squad, but is willing to wait it out.
Maatsen, who was initially a surprise omission from the Dutch Euro 2024 squad before he was called up as a late replacement for the injured Frenkie de Jong, was not included by Ronald Koeman in the squad for the fixtures against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Germany.
The left-back, who helped Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last season before joining Aston Villa from Chelsea, is yet to feature in a senior game for his nation.
Instead, he is a standout name in the Netherlands' Under-21 squad.
And while he is frustrated not to have made the cut for Koeman's selection, the 22-year-old will bide his time.
"Of course this is a disappointment. I expected to have to report to the [senior] side," he said.
"I could have withdrawn, but that's not who I am. Sometimes you have to accept things and not worry too much. I have to show here that I am the best and can play for the Dutch national team.
"I tried to enjoy myself to the fullest. I was always raring to go. Even if it was just for a minute. I wanted a cap but it hasn’t come yet."
The Dutch Under-21s face North Macedonia Under-21s on Friday.
Bronze aiming for Champions League glory with Chelsea
Lucy Bronze is targetting Champions League success in her first season at Chelsea.
The Blues are entering a new era under new manager Sonia Bompastor, who led Lyon to the Champions League final last season.
Bronze, though, helped Barca beat Bompastor's team in that clash in Bilbao, claiming the trophy for the fifth time in her career.
The full-back won the Champions League three times with Lyon and twice with Barca, and now wants to make it a sixth with the Blues, who fell short of European glory under Emma Hayes.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Bronze said: "Bringing the Champions League back to this country would be a huge success and would make women's football even better."
And with the standards set by Bompastor, who has won the Champions League three times (twice as a player and once as a manager), and her assistant Camille Abily, Bronze sees no reason why Chelsea cannot get over the line.
"The team's good enough and adding Sonia and Cammy's experience as both coaches and players that have won it is a huge thing," Bronze added.
"They aren't afraid to talk about it and make the demands it takes to get to a final so hopefully this is the year we break that brick wall down.
"She [Bompastor] has very high standards, she's very demanding. I'm laughing but my Lyon team-mates used to play with her and nothing was ever good enough.
"Everything needed to be better, which is why she was one of the best players to ever play for France.
"She's still got a little something now, but it's her standards that will hopefully get this team to the highest level."
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