<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/luis-de-la-fuente/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luis de la Fuente</a> has led <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/spain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spain</a> very well since taking over, capped by a brilliant Euro title. The next challenge is even bigger, but he already has most of the squad sorted out. Monday is when he will announce the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> list, which could still include a surprise, as he told former player Mario Suárez on his podcast.



De la Fuente said: “The group of players is set. It’s possible I’ll call up a player who hasn’t been here before. The goalkeeper is decided. I could even tell you the lineup. There will be three goalkeepers, not four.”



While the manager did not name that player, one name that has recently gained a lot of attention is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/gavi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gavi</a>, who has been excellent for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona</a>: “We haven’t given him anything. He has earned it himself after overcoming two very serious injuries. He is in a very good moment. When he is not there, he is a player you really miss.”



<h2>De la Fuente on Dani Carvajal</h2>



A major name that was left out of the list was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/dani-carvajal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dani Carvajal</a>. The right back was outstanding for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a> two years ago and even scored in the Champions League final, but after his knee injury in October 2023, he has not been able to repeat that level.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/20223118/carvajal-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-645530"><figcaption>Carvajal has just returned from a minor foot injury (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



This time may not be ideal for Carvajal, as he will not make the squad, not because his performances have not been good enough, but due to a recent injury that has put his fitness in doubt in doubt and he has missed time while trying to get back in shape.


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De la Fuente all but confirmed that Carvajal was not going to be back in time after suffering a fracture of the distal phalanx of the fifth toe: “He is a great captain, but it was difficult for him to be in condition to play.”



<h2>De la Fuente on his hardest decision</h2>



The coach also reflected on his career. De la Fuente said leaving a major name out of the team was the hardest decision he has made since becoming Spain’s national team coach: “The hardest decision since I became national team coach was not calling up Sergio Ramos.”

Luis de la Fuente teases Spain World Cup squad: ‘It’s possible I’ll call up a player who hasn’t been here before’

Luis de la Fuente teases Spain World Cup squad: ‘It’s possible I’ll call up a player who hasn’t been here before’ - World Soccer Talk

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Following the successful era of Carlo Ancelotti, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid CF</a> have struggled to maintain their dominance. Because of this, they are set for the beginning of a new cycle, planning major changes throughout the squad. Alongside this, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/jose-mourinho/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">José Mourinho</a> has supposedly agreed to return to the club in an attempt to rebuild the sporting project. In addition, he is reportedly aiming to strengthen the squad in three key positions.



According to Sky Sports, via X, formerly Twitter, José Mourinho has agreed to return to Real Madrid CF, 13 years after his departure from the club. With a two-year contract, he will reportedly be tasked with rebuilding the sporting project after the disappointing spells of Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa. In addition, Mourinho is supposedly set to receive greater authority over squad decisions, alongside stronger backing from the front office regarding his choices.



With his return to Real Madrid CF, Mourinho has already identified the key positions he wants reinforced during the 2026 summer transfer window. As per Sacha Tavolieri, transfer expert, via X, the Portuguese manager has decided to prioritize the signing of a right back, a left back, and a center back as his first major steps toward improving the squad’s competitiveness ahead of the 2026-27 season.



Alongside these defensive reinforcements, José Mourinho is reportedly aiming to strengthen the midfield with a world-class signing: Rodri from Manchester City FC. According to Football Insider, the Portuguese manager considers him the ideal player to rebuild the team around. With his contract running until 2027, the 29-year-old star could reportedly be available for around €60 million or less next summer, a fee Los Blancos may be willing to pay.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/13130957/Mourinho-1920x1080.webp" alt="Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League." class="wp-image-643408"><figcaption>Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Dani Carvajal heads Real Madrid departures for the 2026-27 season</h2>



Real Madrid CF appear ready to make radical changes to their squad in an effort to restore the team’s competitiveness. To achieve this, Los Blancos not only need reinforcements in several areas of the pitch, but could also require numerous player departures. With only one match remaining before the end of the season, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/dani-carvajal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dani Carvajal</a> has officially announced his departure from the club at the end of the campaign, bringing an end to a historic spell.


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“Real Madrid C.F. and our captain Dani Carvajal have agreed to bring an end to a wonderful chapter as a player of our club at the conclusion of the current season. Real Madrid wishes to express its gratitude and affection to one of the greatest legends of our club... Carvajal is one of the five players in soccer history to have won 6 European Cups and has been part of a team that has experienced one of the brightest periods in our history,” revealed Real Madrid via Instagram.



Alongside Dani Carvajal, both David Alaba and Dani Ceballos also appear set to leave the club, having failed to fully establish as starters in recent seasons. In addition, several players could see their futures decided during preseason, including Raúl Asencio, Franco Mastantuono, Eduardo Camavinga, and Fran García. With multiple areas of the squad still needing reinforcement, Los Blancos may need to oversee even more departures in the coming months.

José Mourinho reportedly set for Real Madrid return with plans to rebuild three key positions

José Mourinho reportedly set for Real Madrid return with plans to rebuild three key positions - World Soccer Talk

What was already a very bad season for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/dani-carvajal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dani Carvajal</a> could get even worse after the latest injury news. This all but rules out the right back from playing again for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Madrid</a>, which also makes his <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> participation with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/spain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spain</a> look even less likely.



Real Madrid confirmed the injury in <a href="https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/medical-reports/parte-medico-de-carvajal-02-05-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an official statement</a>: “After the tests carried out on our player Dani Carvajal by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a fracture of the distal phalanx of the fifth toe on his right foot. Pending evolution.”



This injury likely ends his season, as the expected recovery time is two to four weeks. Even if he could return sooner, he was already a backup in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/alvaro-arbeloa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Álvaro Arbeloa</a>’s team. Not being able to get on the field also raises even more doubts about his World Cup participation with Spain.



<h2>Carvajal likely played his last match for Real Madrid</h2>



The sporting side of this news could be softened by saying he might return next season at full strength to compete for a spot. However, there was a decision made by the club’s higher-ups not to keep Carvajal once his contract expires at the end of June, according to Marca.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/02160032/arbeloa-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-640498"><figcaption>Arbeloa doesn’t see Carvajal as a priority for the future (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



His role had already been reduced because of the injuries he has dealt with recently. The torn ACL that ended the previous season also brought more issues than are normally expected when a player recovers from that type of injury.


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What is unfortunate about Carvajal’s situation is that he may say goodbye to the fans without being able to be with the team, even though he has worn the captain’s armband for many matches. It feels unfair that a player who scored the winning goal in a Champions League final has to leave this way.



<h2>Carvajal’s season with Real Madrid</h2>



The numbers show how much his role was reduced with Arbeloa as manager, with reports also saying the two were not in the best relationship. Carvajal has played just 20 matches this season, with no goals, 14 in La Liga, one in the Copa del Rey, and five in the Champions League.

Dani Carvajal could be out for the season at Real Madrid, with the World Cup at serious risk

Dani Carvajal could be out for the season at Real Madrid, with the World Cup at serious risk - World Soccer Talk

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Dani Carvajal could be out for the season at Real Madrid, with the World Cup at serious risk