Ceballos sacrifices a year’s wages to leave Real Madrid early

Dani Ceballos waived his final year of salary to terminate his contract with Real Madrid a year early, ending a nine‑year association with the club. The mutual agreement, announced on Real Madrid’s website, frees the 29‑year‑old Spanish midfielder from a deal that ran until 30 June 2027.

Ceballos leaves having made 215 appearances and collected 16 titles at the Bernabéu, including three Champions League crowns. Across those games he contributed seven goals and 16 assists.

He had signed an extension in June 2023 that would have kept him at the club until June 2027, making the termination a full year ahead of schedule. The club’s statement frames the departure as mutual but does not detail the financial terms.

The agreement required Ceballos to waive his final year of salary, meaning he left as a free agent without the club paying the remaining wages. This contrasts with a simple release, highlighting the player’s willingness to forgo earnings.

The official statement thanked him, adding, “El Real Madrid es y será siempre su casa.”

Incoming coach José Mourinho has indicated he will not use Ceballos next season, prompting the club to remove his wages from the salary structure and free a registration slot. The midfield already features Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, leaving little room for Ceballos.

Under former manager Carlo Ancelotti, Ceballos’ role had already narrowed, with the three midfield stars limiting his playing time.

The cleared wage bill is linked to the club’s interest in further midfield reinforcement, and Real Betis and Ajax have been reported as interested in signing the free‑agent midfielder. The club also plans to activate the buyback clause for Nico Páz as part of its midfield overhaul.