Marc Cucurella did not hide his pride or surprise when revealing the behind-the-scenes of his transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid. In an exclusive interview with the newspaper *El Mundo*, the left-back said that the negotiation was completed in just one or two days, without hesitation. The Merengues' offer arrived at a decisive moment: on the same day that Cucurella made his debut for Spain in the World Cup, the club announced his signing.
The coincidence did not go unnoticed. The timing suggests that Real Madrid were monitoring the player's performance in the global competition, where he stood out as one of Spain's revelations. The pressure on Chelsea to complete the deal in record time must have been intense, especially with the July transfer market already busy.
Trained at Barcelona's academy, the player admitted that the opportunity to play for Real Madrid — the club with the most Champions League titles — was unique. He described the process as having 'a certain mystery' but left no doubt about his conviction. The decision to exchange Chelsea, a club where he was unable to consolidate space, for Spain's biggest rival, is a bold move.
Cucurella, who arrived at Chelsea in 2022 for around 60 million euros, now plays at a club where the technical standard and ambition are even greater. The transition is not just about the club, but about the philosophy of the game. The full-back signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid, consolidating his arrival at the team led by Carlo Ancelotti.
The news took the transfer market by surprise, especially as it brought together a former Barcelona player with their biggest rival. The rivalry between the youth teams of the two clubs — Barcelona and Real Madrid — is historic, and Cucurella's signing has reignited debates about the migration of talent between the teams. The Merengue board, known for its discretion, surprised by closing such a quick and publicized deal, something unusual in its transfer policy.
"It was an honor. Real Madrid is the club with the most Champions League titles, and playing there is something I always dreamed of," said Cucurella. The statement reflects not only personal ambition, but also the pressure of living in the spotlight of one of the biggest clubs in the world.
For Ancelotti, Cucurella's arrival is another piece in the puzzle of a squad that seeks to maintain hegemony in Spain and Europe. What to expect now? With Cucurella in the squad, Real Madrid reinforces its left-back while the player adapts to the new challenge.
In Spain, the team continues in the World Cup with the full-back as one of the new additions to the squad. Merengue fans await his official debut, while the market analyzes the impact of this flash transfer. Cucurella's adaptation will be crucial, especially against players like Ferland Mendy, who already occupies the position.
Real Madrid, accustomed to high-level signings, will have to quickly integrate a player who arrives with promise but no time for mistakes. The pressure is double: at the club and at the national team, where he is already seen as a key player for the future. Cucurella's transfer also exposes Chelsea's weakness in retaining talent.
The London club, which invested heavily in his signing two years ago, was unable to offer conditions to keep him. The quick departure, especially for the biggest rival, can be read as a sign of disorganization on the board or a lack of long-term planning. For Real Madrid, the move is a good one: they acquired a full-back with proven potential at a high level, without spending a fortune on an inflated market.
Ancelotti's strategy of betting on undervalued players — like Jude Bellingham last year — continues to bear fruit. Cucurella's journey so far is an example of how modern football values versatility. He arrived at Chelsea as a pure left-back, but his ability to also play as a midfielder – something he explored in Spain – made him more attractive to top clubs.
Real Madrid, who are looking for multifunctional players for their style of play, found him an ideal profile. Adaptation will not be easy, but the pressure for results can speed up the process. Read at Trivela
Why this matters
The signing of Cucurella by Real Madrid shocked the market by uniting a former Barcelona player with their biggest rival. His statements reveal a quick deal and the athlete's motivations, at a time when Spain is shining in the World Cup. The full-back, trained at Barcelona, took on the challenge of playing for the club with the most Champions League titles, highlighting the honor of the opportunity. The transfer also exposes weaknesses at Chelsea and reinforces Real Madrid's strategy of betting on undervalued players, maintaining its policy of discretion with quick results.
Frequently asked
How long did the negotiations between Cucurella and Real Madrid last?
Marc Cucurella said the transfer was resolved in just a day or two after Real Madrid's offer emerged.
Did Cucurella make his debut for Spain at the World Cup on the same day as the announcement?
Yes. The full-back debuted for the Spanish national team in the World Cup exactly on the day Real Madrid announced his signing.
How long is Cucurella's contract with Real Madrid?
Cucurella signed a six-year contract with Los Merengues, tying him to the club until 2029.
How did Cucurella describe the opportunity to play for Real Madrid?
He classified the chance as 'unique' and highlighted the honor of wearing the shirt of the club with the most Champions League titles.
Why couldn't Chelsea keep Cucurella?
The quick exit, especially to its biggest rival, suggests weaknesses in Chelsea's management, whether due to a lack of long-term planning or an inability to offer competitive conditions.
What is the value of Cucurella's transfer to Real Madrid?
Real Madrid did not disclose the exact value, but Spanish media estimates that the transfer cost between 40 and 50 million euros, below Chelsea's initial investment.
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