The Real Madrid and Spanish national team player, Dani Carvajal, was in Boadilla del Monte (Madrid) this weekend. The European champion has been in the company of Joselu Mato, his teammate until now, and the UFC world champion, Ilia Topuria. Carvajal and the other footballers dedicated the title of European champions to the inhabitants of the Madrid town. However, the Madrid right-back has not been exempt from controversy recently. Especially after his celebration in the central Plaza de Cibeles.
During the event in Boadilla del Monte, Carvajal was interviewed by Bertrand Ndongo, former advisor to Rocío Monasterio, for Periodista Digital. When Ndongo asked him about the opinions generated in recent weeks, Carvajal simply said that he was “very happy and very happy” and that “being European champions is phenomenal. Having united the country… We Spaniards are all super happy.”
Criticism of Carvajal on social media intensified after he was photographed with Bertrand Ndongo, a well-known ultra agitator. Ndongo published a photo with Carvajal on his X account (formerly Twitter), accompanied by the comment: “Carvajal with a black man. “This ‘facha’ never ceases to surprise me.” This publication raised the decibels even further among the footballer’s detractors, generating a wave of nҽgative reactions.
The controversy around Carvajal is not new. A week before, the Real Madrid player, together with the Spanish team, celebrated the title in Cibeles and passed by the Moncloa Palace, where he starred in an image that also caused people to talk: Carvajal extended his hand to the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, almost without looking at his face. This gesture was widely commented on in the media.
The celebration of the title left other controversial moments, involving more footballers. Álvaro Morata and Rodri were investigated by UEFA for their “Gibraltar is Spanish” chants. In addition, well-known figures such as Miguel Bosé and music producer Nacho Cano have shown their support for Carvajal. Cano has also been in the news recently for being detained for allegedly hiring irregular migrants.
In response to criticism, Carvajal has stated that he does not regret taking the photo with Ndongo and that his intention was simply to celebrate the title with all his followers. He has insisted that his actions have no political connotations and that he only seeks to unite fans around the sporting success of the Spanish team. Carvajal has called for understanding and has asked that sporting achievement be valued more than interpretations about his actions off the field.