CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — In a recent statement, Marc Cucurella expressed his firm conviction about transitioning from Chelsea to Real Madrid, calling it a “necessary and significant step” in his career.
Real Madrid confirmed Cucurella’s signing on Monday, securing the 27-year-old left-back on a six-year contract as part of a comprehensive squad rejuvenation under new manager José Mourinho for the upcoming season.
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Cucurella, currently training with the national team in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a product of the Barcelona youth academy and had received interest from Atlético Madrid before Real Madrid finalized his signing.
“If you had asked me a few months back, I wouldn’t have anticipated leaving Chelsea,” Cucurella shared at a Thursday news conference. “But in football, changes are sometimes essential. New chapters emerge unexpectedly.
“Departing Chelsea isn’t easy … however, moving to Real Madrid represents a significant opportunity. Real Madrid is among the top clubs globally, and this step was necessary for me.”
He noted that the quick nature of the transfer helped him concentrate on the World Cup without distractions.
Spain was held to a 0-0 draw against underdogs Cape Verde on Monday in Group H, with their next challenge against Saudi Arabia scheduled for Sunday.
“The process was swift,” Cucurella explained. “[My agents] reached out to me in the morning, indicating that the clubs had already sorted everything … We finalized it within a day and a half, which was advantageous for me, allowing me to focus solely on the World Cup.
“The crucial aspect was that Real Madrid approached me decisively. Once the news broke, it was all settled, which was vital for me. My situation at the World Cup was complicated, and I needed to concentrate entirely on the tournament.
“The World Cup and the team’s aspirations deserve my full attention … This is my first time here, and it might be my last; it’s an experience that requires my utmost focus.”
The transfer has sparked backlash from some Barcelona fans, displeased with Cucurella’s choice to join their rivals.
“I understand that opinions vary,” Cucurella remarked. “I’m immensely grateful for the Barcelona academy’s contributions. However, as life unfolds, we all transition through various stages. I believed this was the right move. When a club like Madrid expresses interest, it’s tough to turn down. I had no reservations about this being the correct decision.”
Cucurella also mentioned he had conversations with Mourinho, who has been instrumental in identifying new signings for Madrid, including himself and Bernardo Silva.
“We had the opportunity to converse; [Mourinho] reached out to me,” Cucurella shared. “It’s encouraging to have a coach of his caliber express a desire to work with you. It instills confidence… I’m hopeful that we advance as far as possible, ideally to the [World Cup] final.”
Spain’s unexpected draw with Cape Verde has raised the stakes ahead of their upcoming match against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.
“Every player debuting at a World Cup aims for victory,” Cucurella remarked. “However, we are learning that no match is easy … The critical thing is recognizing that we might be to blame for not securing a win; we lacked clinical finishing and sharpness.
“Maybe it’s fortuitous that this happened in our opening game. Later rounds might see you exiting if this occurs.”