Dani Ceballos finds himself at a familiar crossroads once again, with AS reporting that the Real Madrid midfielder’s future remains undecided despite his efforts to grow in importance last season.
With Xabi Alonso now replacing Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, Ceballos must once more prove his worth to secure a meaningful role in the team.
His time at Madrid has often been marked by hope followed by disappointment. Just when it seems like Ceballos is on the verge of becoming a regular, something derails the momentum, be it injury, tactical decisions, or the simple bad luck of timing.
Last season was another example. While he featured in 41 matches and clocked 1,988 minutes, he only started eight times.
He was seen as an option for important games, but when it mattered most, he was nowhere to be found.
For now, nothing can be said for sure about the midfielder, as Alonso brings a different vision and style, and the expectation is that competition will be even tougher.
Real Madrid are actively searching for an organising midfielder, and Ceballos already finds himself behind Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga in the pecking order.
Despite all this, Ceballos, who has a contract until 2027, is not looking for an exit. This is now the stage of his career where he wants to be a leader. The risk, however, is that he could once again end up on the fringes.
For now, he continues to fight. He is staying committed, working hard, and waiting for his chance. But time and competition are not on his side.
With Alonso ushering in a new era and Madrid’s midfield evolving quickly, the question remains: will Dani Ceballos finally rise, or will this season be another chapter of what could have been?