Real Madrid to Welcome European Champions Carvajal and Bellingham Ahead of the New Season
Spain and England have both secured spots in the final of the 2024 UEFA European Championship, set to take place at Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 15th. This highly anticipated clash is expected to feature some La Liga stars, including Real Madrid teammates Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham, who will compete against each other for the title on German soil.
Carvajal returns from suspension
The Los Blancos right-back was forced to miss the semi-final against France due to suspension following a red card in the quarter-final against Germany. Having claimed La Liga and Champions League titles last season, as well as the Supercopa de Espana, Carvajal seeks to celebrate his fourth title in 2024. In the 2023/2024 season, the 32-year-old full-back appeared in 28 matches and scored 4 goals – his highest tally in a season with Real Madrid. Carvajal also played 10 matches in Europe, leading his team to success with an opening goal against Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley. Honored as the MVP of the Champions League final, Carvajal’s confidence is soaring ahead of EURO 2024. The Spanish right-back made a strong impression by scoring one of La Roja’s three goals in a 3-0 victory over Croatia in the opening match. Luis de la Fuente’s team demonstrated strength in the group stage, being the only team to secure 9 points. They advanced through the round of 16 with a come-from-behind 4-1 win against Georgia. Carvajal has started in 4 out of Spain’s 6 matches so far, with De la Fuente resting him in the 1-0 group stage victory against Albania before he missed the match against France.
Bellingham – Ballon d’Or contender
Carvajal will face his Real Madrid teammate, Bellingham, who is inspiring England’s quest for their first European Championship title. The midfielder made waves in La Liga last season, scoring 19 goals in 28 league matches. Bellingham finished his debut season in Spain with 23 goals across all competitions and celebrated his first Champions League trophy at the age of 20. This extraordinary midfielder has started in all 6 matches for the England national team so far. He scored their first goal at EURO 2024 with a spectacular header, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Serbia. In the round of 16, they faced a resilient Slovakia and were on the brink of elimination, trailing until late in the game. Bellingham then delivered a world-class strike to rescue England and send the match into extra time, where the Three Lions sealed a 2-1 win.
Next, England defeated Switzerland in a penalty shootout, with Bellingham scoring in the shootout, before staging a comeback against the Netherlands to secure a 2-1 victory and a place in the final. In the upcoming showdown, Bellingham will take the field alongside familiar faces, including former Real Madrid captain Nacho. Nacho has started in 3 out of Spain’s 6 matches so far, providing a steady presence in defense against Croatia, Germany, and France. Nacho and Carvajal will strive to help Spain celebrate another European Championship title. To achieve this, La Roja will need to contain the extraordinary Bellingham, who is considered a favorite for the Ballon d’Or this year.
