Real Madrid’s captaincy has historically been regarded as a position of long-term leadership and continuity, reflecting seniority and service within the squad. However, since 2021, a consistent pattern has emerged in which each season’s first-choice captain has left the club at the end of the same campaign. This sequence has involved several prominent players across different positions.
In the 2021 season, defender Sergio Ramos served as the club’s captain. At the conclusion of the season, he departed the club after a long tenure. In 2022, the captain’s armband was assigned to left-back Marcelo, who also left Real Madrid at the end of that campaign following the club’s UEFA Champions League success that season. In 2023, striker Karim Benzema held the captaincy and subsequently left the club after the season ended, moving on after a highly successful spell in Madrid.
The 2024 season saw Nacho Fernández, a product of the club’s youth academy, take over as captain. He also departed at the end of the season after receiving a farewell from the club. In 2025, midfielder Luka Modrić was appointed captain. Following the completion of the season, he joined AC Milan, bringing his long-standing spell at Real Madrid to an end.
The sequence of captains and their departures is summarised below:
| Season | Captain | Outcome at Season End |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sergio Ramos | Left the club |
| 2022 | Marcelo | Left the club |
| 2023 | Karim Benzema | Left the club |
| 2024 | Nacho Fernández | Left the club |
| 2025 | Luka Modrić | Joined AC Milan |
For the 2026 season, Dani Carvajal has been identified as the first-team captain. Real Madrid extended his contract in October 2024 until 30 June 2026. Despite this extension, his availability has been affected by a recent injury to his right leg, which has raised uncertainty regarding his participation towards the end of the current campaign.
Real Madrid’s squad planning typically prioritises performance levels, physical condition, and long-term squad restructuring. In this context, player retention decisions are often influenced by fitness assessments and strategic planning for future seasons.
Carvajal’s current situation is therefore being monitored within the framework of the club’s broader sporting and physical management policies. The established pattern since 2021 shows that each appointed first-team captain has left the club at the end of the same season, reflecting significant squad transition during this period.