Dani Carvajal pinpoints Jose Mourinho exit for upturn in Real Madrid career

Dani Carvajal has made a thinly veiled dig at Jose Mourinho for stunting his progress at Real Madrid.
The right-back recently signed a new long-term contract that ties him to the Bernabeu until 2022.

How much he is valued by Real Madrid is signified by a hefty release clause which, according to some reports, has been set at £310million.

But that wasn’t always the case.

Having progressed through the youth ranks in the Spanish capital, Carvajal was sold to German side Beyer Leverkusen in 2012.

His exit was sanctioned by Mourinho, who failed to hand him a single appearance for Real Madrid.

But Carvajal excelled in Germany and after just one season, and with Mourinho gone, Real Madrid exercised their buy-back clause.

After signing his new contract, Carvajal spoke about how Mourinho was responsible for his year away from the Bernabeu.

‘I was in the academy and at that moment he [Mourinho] didn’t think I was ready for the first team,’ said Carvajal.

‘Then our paths went different ways and I returned to the club.’

Carvajal doesn’t look likely to be making another exit from the Bernabeu anytime soon, with his release clause and passion for Real Madrid set to keep him at the club for the long-term.

‘I don’t remember exactly what the clause is, but it’s high so that no one can take me away,’ said the 25-year-old Spain international.

‘When someone is as certain as I am, I want to always be here, I don’t even bother listening to the offers. I’m focused on giving my best and the club is rewarding me. We don’t listen to offers.’