"It's time to step up and bounce back"

Real Madrid international right-back Dani Carvajal declared on Monday, after collecting the Laureus award for the best team of 2024, that for the remainder of the season, after their elimination from the Champions League, they must pick themselves up and "show the shield" they carry.

Carvajal collected the Laureus award alongside Luka Modric at the Palacio de Cibeles, the seat of Madrid's city hall. In his speech of thanks he lamented the recent quarter-final exit to Arsenal in the Champions League, but was also confident of picking himself up to fight for the rest of the trophies.

"Our moment now has to be to pick ourselves up. When there is a hard blow, like the one in the Champions League, you have to pick yourself up. Ahead of us we have the Club World Cup, La Liga and the Copa del Rey and it's time to take a step forward, bounce back and show the crest we have inside us," said Carvajal.

Real Madrid face an important midweek game before another Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in Seville on Saturday.