Ceballos hints at leaving Real Madrid

Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos sparked widespread controversy after hinting at a possible departure from the club this summer following the 3-0 La Liga win over Real Oviedo. The 29-year-old posted a photo on his Instagram account with a short caption that read, "The last dance," accompanied by a thank you emoji. Many considered this a clear indication that his days in a Real Madrid shirt are numbered, especially in light of the offers he has received from clubs competing in the Champions League. The Spanish player has suffered from a decline in his role within the team since Xabi Alonso took over as Real Madrid coach, as he occupies sixth place in the midfield, behind prominent names such as Tchouameni, Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham, and even young Arda Guler. This has limited his participation to a few minutes in recent rounds. Although Ceballos had hoped to remain at the Santiago Bernabéu and fight for a starting spot that would boost his chances of appearing at the 2026 World Cup, the continuation of the current situation threatens his international dream, making him closer to considering a new move. Real Madrid's management, for its part, would not object to the player's departure if an offer of between 15 and 20 million euros were received, amid interest from Spanish clubs, most notably Real Betis, although no official agreement has yet been reached. Ceballos' future is expected to be determined in the coming days, with the summer transfer window closing on August 31.