Real Madrid News
Real Madrid spent over €150 to replace retired Brazilian defender
It is perhaps fair to say that Marc Cucurella has been one of the standout defenders in the World Cup this summer.
The new Real Madrid signing has racked up three assists and has kept a 100% clean sheet record, with the Spain team yet to concede a single goal in the tournament.
Cucurella will arrive as part of Real Madrid’s quest to find a replacement for Marcelo, something they have failed to do since the Brazilian left the club in 2022.
Real Madrid spent €153 million to find Marcelo replacement
As reported by Diario SPORT, Cucurella will be Real Madrid’s fourth attempt to replace Marcelo, following the likes of Alvaro Carreras, Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia.
In total, Real Madrid have spent an astounding €153 million in an attempt to replace the retired Brazilian left-back.
That amount includes the €55 million Real Madrid will pay Chelsea for the services of Cucurella.
Last summer, Los Blancos had spent as much as €50 million to sign Carreras, a move that failed miserably as the former Benfica star failed to live up to the expectations.
Another €48 million was spent in 2019 when Mendy was initially brought in as a long-term replacement for Marcelo. While the Frenchman has been useful at times, he has largely struggled with injuries.
Finally, Real Madrid had also spent €5 million to get their hands on Fran Garcia, who has been average at best.
Is Cucurella the best bet?
Everything suggests Cucurella could come the closest to replacing Marcelo at Real Madrid, as evidenced by his performances in the Spanish national team in this World Cup.
The former Barcelona academy player has been consistent in the Premier League as well, racking up seven goals and 12 assists during his time at Chelsea and Brighton.
The Spaniard, therefore, certainly has the experience and the quality to succeed at the Bernabeu. But whether or not that same old left-back curse at Real Madrid will come to haunt him remains to be seen.
In what will come as a pleasing development for fans, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid forward Rodrygo could make a comeback from his injury earlier than expected.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been out of action since March after suffering an ACL injury during a La Liga game against Getafe.
Due to the complete rupture of the ACL, coupled with associated meniscus damage, it was suggested that the attacker was staring at a lengthy time out on the sidelines and might not return until 2027.
In fact, the forward’s father, Eric Goes, recently stated in an interview that the Real Madrid ace could be back in February next year, just before the business end of the campaign.
Rodrygo could be back in December
However, as per the update from Romano, Rodrygo’s comeback could happen well before that expected date.
Indeed, if things continue to progress at the current rate, the 25-year-old attacker might return to action in December or by January 2027 at the latest.
This will come as a welcome boost for Jose Mourinho & co., considering that Rodrygo is a valuable player for the team.
Even though he had endured a tough spell prior to his form, the Brazilian’s versatility, work rate off the ball, and eye for a goal make him an asset.
Rodrygo eager to be back at his best
The update from Romano further states that Rodrygo feels very grateful to Real Madrid for all the help and support they have given him during this difficult phase of his career.
As such, the Brazilian international has made it a mission to return to action in the best shape possible and make an impact from the get-go.
The attacker has only recently begun working on the pitch with the ball indicating the significant progress he has made on the road to recovery.
And, if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could recover one of their ace attackers before the end of the current year.
So far in his career, Rodrygo has made 297 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 71 goals. He has a contract with the club until 2028.
