Marc Cucurella talks about his surprising choice to join Real Madrid in his first interview since signing with the team.
Marc Cucurella has spoken out to fans who find it surprising that a player connected to Barcelona would choose to join Real Madrid. Just hours before Spain’s first World Cup match, it was announced that Cucurella will move from Chelsea to Real Madrid this summer in a deal worth £47.5 million plus £4.3 million in bonuses.
Cucurella played 163 games for Chelsea between 2022 and 2026 and was linked with several clubs lately, including Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and his old club Barcelona. In fact, a report from Spanish news outlet COPE said Cucurella wanted to return to Barcelona. But a move there seemed unlikely because Barcelona is focusing on signing a new forward right now.
Some Barca fans have been unhappy about Cucurella’s choice to go to Madrid. He spent eight years at Barcelona from 2012 to 2020, and back in March, he said it would be “hard to turn down” an offer to come back if one was made.
So, what does Cucurella say to fans who question him joining Barcelona’s biggest rivals? In his first interview as a Madrid player with El Mundo, he shared his thoughts. “I tell them that life has different stages,” he said. “I had to make an important decision, and I don’t doubt it; I think this is a big step for me. When you’re a kid, you dream of playing for big teams, and Real Madrid is one of those.”
He also said, “They have the most Champions League titles in the world, and I hope to win titles with them and have a great time.” Cucurella praised Madrid’s team spirit, saying, “They’ve shown it many times with their amazing comebacks. There’s something special about them. It’s hard to explain, but they have this magic.”
He added, “Very few fans see how Real Madrid can come back and win when things look tough. To be part of that, to feel those magical moments from inside the team, is something all footballers enjoy.”
In the full interview, Cucurella said joining Madrid was an offer he “couldn’t refuse.” He explained, “There were other options, but when Real Madrid came knocking, I didn’t hesitate. It’s a special chance. Playing for Real Madrid is an honor not many get, so I had no doubts. My family and I agreed that this was an opportunity we couldn’t miss, and I’m really happy with the choice we made.”