Marc Cucurella completed his first training session under José Mourinho at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training ground on August 10, 2026, after undergoing medical tests following his move from Chelsea. The Spanish left-back, a World Cup winner, was one of several new arrivals processed by the club's medical staff that day, alongside defender Ibrahima Konaté.
Cucurella said his teammates had welcomed him with messages before he even stepped onto the pitch, and that some had already written to him ahead of his arrival. He described the day as hard and long, but said he was already picking up sensations and easing into training bit by bit, according to comments carried on Real Madrid's official channels.
How Cucurella describes himself
Asked to describe himself, Cucurella said intensity, character and joy, adding a bit of everything, and called himself a very hardworking person. He said that with players of this talent, and by staying united and being a great team both on and off the pitch, he believed great things could be achieved. He is known as a left-back who gives nothing away on the pitch and builds his game on constant work and intensity from the first minute to the last.
Memories of the Bernabéu
Cucurella said he had spent years watching as a fan what he must now help build from the inside. He recalled watching magical nights at the Santiago Bernabéu, including comebacks and the Champions League titles the club has won. Getting the chance to experience it in person and take part, he said, was a huge responsibility, but also a beautiful and important challenge.
Why he said yes to Real Madrid
Cucurella said that as a player, and as a boy who started out playing football, the chance to play for a club like this one was very hard to turn down. He said the opportunity came and he had no doubts. He called the move a source of pride, noting that not many people can say they have worn the Real Madrid shirt. He said the club has produced great legends and has more history than any other, calling it the biggest club in Europe. He described the day as a privilege, an honor and above all a reward for the effort he has put in throughout his career, adding that the wait had felt long but he was finally there.
First impressions of Mourinho
Cucurella said his first contact with Mourinho left him with an impression of trust and naturalness. He said the squad needed to do what it knows on the pitch and, above all, enjoy playing, adding that everyone's aim was to win and to have a great season. Mourinho now has one of his most recent signings on the field, with the squad beginning to take shape after weeks of working without some of its most important players. Cucurella is one of the pieces the Portuguese coach had been waiting for to complete a defense that must perform at a higher level than in the previous two seasons.
