Dani Carvajal spoke to the media in the press room of the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah and discussed the final of the Spanish Super Cup, which will see Real Madrid take on Barcelona on Sunday (8pm Spanish time, 10pm local time): “I've been wearing this shirt for many matches. Tomorrow is an important day for us, another final. We want to take this trophy home with us. On a personal level, it's an important challenge. The fact that I can equal Modrić as the two players with the most Real Madrid trophies tomorrow is especially important on a personal level.”

“Tomorrow we have to be very strong in both areas, both our own and the opposition's. We have to play a game similar to the one we had at the Bernabéu, with moments of high pressing and we have to come together and know how to dig in. We have to resist the blows that our opponents can throw at you, stay together, with a lot of motivation and character. I think that's the way to win the title.”

Team’s form
“In the last part of the year the team wasn't at its best. I also think we were conditioned by a lot of absences. Normally, the guys who are more regular players don't have that opportunity to rotate. The Christmas break has been good for all of us. I think Xabi Alonso looks calm and with a clear idea. Obviously, when you don't get the best results, there are always ‘rumblings’. But that's normal at the most demanding clubs. We are dead set on him. The confidence is mutual between Xabi and the players. Tomorrow we'll give it our all from whatever position we're in.”

His future
“I have just come from a complex process of a serious injury and a new visit to the operating theatre. What I want is to train and enjoy playing. I think the club is following the line I think. I have to play and see the level I can show on the pitch. The appreciation is mutual between me and the club. If we are both aligned on what we want there will be no problem.”

Injuries in football
“On a personal level, it is an operation with six or seven structures in the knee that have had to be reworked. It has not been easy. Now we seem to be on the right track. I hope that in the last few months of competition I can be at the highest level. I have important challenges, such as winning trophies with Real Madrid and the World Cup in the summer.”

“I have talked about the issue of injuries many times. Another summer with a Club World Cup in between, with few holidays, matches every 3 days. We have seen in recent years that players don't talk for nothing, it's happening.”

Mbappé
“He's a very important player for us, the best striker in the world. I hope he can be on the pitch tomorrow. If he doesn't start, the minutes he plays can be decisive.”

Message to those who think winning tomorrow is difficult
"Take a look back. I have had a very successful career. There have been years when they haven't given us a chance and we've done wonders. We have won Champions League and important titles against seemingly superior opponents. Our focus is on tomorrow's game and doing the best we can."

Importance of winning the final
“It's always an important moment to win a final, and even more so against Barcelona. I imagine our opponents will feel the same way. It's a positive boost for both sides. Whoever wins will come out stronger and we want to be that side of the coin.”

Has Xabi Alonso been unfairly treated?
“The coach is the one who has his opinion. If I were the coach, I change a player and he doesn't get angry, I would get angry. Valverde can give his opinion, I understand completely that he doesn't like playing at full-back and that he prefers a position where he feels more comfortable. But every Sunday or Wednesday, he goes out and gives his all for the team in whatever position he plays. I stand by that and I think the coach does too.”

Vini Jr.
“He's a very important player for us. He knows how important he is when he is decisive. He's going to have a great game tomorrow, we're all convinced of that. Even if he hasn't scored for a few games or if his game isn't the best it can be, it's very clear that Vini is an incredible player. I'm convinced that tomorrow will be an important and great day for him.”

“Vini is mature enough and professional enough not to get into a fight. I know that he also likes it when his opponent picks on him because he does it too, it's part of his game. I think he often thrives, it motivates him even more to play a better game.”

Penalty training
“We haven't rehearsed them. The experience of the shooters on our team is already set. Clearly, if I had the opportunity to take one, I would.”

Conversation with Simeone
“We have a mutual respect for each other. We both defend our club to the death. He gave me his impression and I gave him mine. We keep it to ourselves, we focus on tomorrow's game. The important thing is that we are in the final and we have the chance to lift another title. We'll leave it there.”

Lamine Yamal
“Lamine is a young lad. I don't think he was right in his comments a few days before a Clasico. Everyone tries to defend their own at club level. He's a great kid but I don't wish him well tomorrow, logically. He stayed there, we shouldn't give him more importance than he deserves.”