Real Madrid are bracing for significant changes this summer after internal sources confirmed that David Alaba will depart the club at the end of the season, becoming a free agent.
The Austrian defender’s exit had been anticipated since early April 2026, when indications first emerged that he would not be offered a contract extension.
Softfootball gathered, Alaba is expected to leave alongside long‑serving full‑back Dani Carvajal, who will bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, 23 May 2026, in the match against Athletic Club. Both players were informed that their deals would not be renewed as the club prepares for a new era.
The arrival of José Mourinho has accelerated plans for a sweeping squad overhaul. The Portuguese manager is expected to reshape the team’s defensive structure and overall balance, with several senior players facing uncertain futures.
However, the club’s attacking core remains firmly protected. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior are considered untouchable, with both forwards expected to play central roles in Mourinho’s Real Madrid project next season.
As the season draws to a close, the departures of Alaba and Carvajal mark the end of an era, while signalling the beginning of a bold new chapter under Mourinho’s leadership.
