Dani Carvajal returned for Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup nine months after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a torn external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteus tendon in his right leg.

The captain sustained the injury on 5 October 2024 in a match against Villarreal at the Bernabéu, on matchday nine of LaLiga. Six days later, he underwent surgery and, from there, began a long recovery process that has culminated in his return to the pitch against PSG. Carvajal replaced Gonzalo in the 71st minute and was back in the team in an official match.