Dani Carvajal, the seasoned right-back, has made a remarkable return after 269 days sidelined by a serious cruciate ligament injury. His comeback is a testament to resilience, and the 33-year-old's joy at being back is palpable.

"It's hard to grasp the magnitude of something like this until you go through it," Carvajal said, reflecting on his recovery. "This injury came at a more mature stage of my career, with my family and wife by my side, which has been a huge relief. Without them, I might have overthought things."

His daily routine was a grind of gym work, physiotherapy, and patience, with every small step forward celebrated like a goal. "It's been nine months, and I'm ready to compete," he added. "I know myself—once I'm on the pitch, I'll give everything, no fear, full throttle, putting my foot in from the first minute. The spark and match sharpness might take time, but I'm ready."

While the football world roared on, Carvajal quietly rebuilt his body and mind. "A month and a half ago, I didn't see myself here," he admitted. "Now, I feel ready to compete. I'm not afraid to train hard or get stuck in."

He confirmed he's likely to be on the bench tonight, available for manager Xabi Alonso. "I feel great personally, and I hope I can be in the squad and ready to help from the bench," he said.

Carvajal's return brings a fresh challenge: competing with Trent Alexander-Arnold for a starting spot. The Spaniard welcomes the rivalry. "It's normal in football, new players come in, and you have to compete," he said. "I see it as a personal challenge, and healthy competition can only make the team better."

He was full of praise for his new teammate, saying, "Trent has settled in brilliantly and been fantastic with everyone. He's close with Jude Bellingham, but he's been great with the whole squad, friendly, joining us for dinners or walks on our days off. He's a top lad."

As Real Madrid prepare for the Juventus test, Carvajal is also gearing up for a new role as the club's first captain next season, a responsibility he's long embraced informally. "There were key moments last season when the manager needed me to step up, even when injured," he said.

"I'd check in with players, ask how they were doing, sometimes that's more important than shouting. Being first captain this year will carry more weight, but I'm ready."

Carvajal also dismissed concerns about the Hard Rock Stadium pitch, which a Real Madrid medical report had flagged as risky for players recovering from serious injuries. "I've been training for nearly three weeks with no issues," he said. "The pitch is different from Europe, and the heat can dry it out, but I'm not worried."

With Carvajal back, Real Madrid have a warrior ready to fight for their place in the next round. Tonight's clash with Juventus promises to be a spectacle, and all eyes will be on whether the veteran can make his mark.

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