Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s summer signing recalls surprise call that sealed his move: ‘I couldn’t believe it at first’
Real Madrid did not have a single player called up to the Spain squad when Luis de la Fuente named his roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yet, when Spain eventually lifted the trophy on 19 July, Los Blancos had a player who had played a starring role for La Roja throughout the tournament.
Madrid signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea just ahead of Spain’s opening game at the tournament, and the Spaniard went on to have a sensational campaign.
He has now been presented as one of Madrid’s marquee signings this summer and, speaking to Real Madrid TV, he reflected on how surreal these first few weeks have been.
Cucurella impressed by Madrid’s 15 Champions League trophies
As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the 28-year-old admitted that seeing Real Madrid’s 15 European Cups up close made a major impression on him.
“It is very impressive,” Cucurella said.
He recalled some of Madrid’s most memorable recent Champions League triumphs, particularly the comeback run and the club’s latest victory.
“I remember the one with all the comebacks, and also the last one, which was won by some of my Spain teammates like Carva, Joselu and Nacho,” he continued.
For Cucurella, adding another European Cup is already one of the ambitions attached to his new chapter.
“Hopefully we can have some great seasons and be lucky enough to lift one. As a player, it is one of the greatest achievements there can be,” he revealed.
Florentino Perez made a strong impression
Cucurella also spoke warmly about Florentino Perez after spending time with the Madrid president.
“He is someone who commands respect through his presence and everything he has achieved,” the defender said.
Cucurella added that Perez deserves significant credit for the club Madrid have become, describing the opportunity to meet him more closely as a special experience.
Madrid call came out of the blue
Perhaps the most interesting part of the interview was the moment Cucurella learned Madrid wanted him this summer.
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” he said.
Cucurella explained that he was in the United States when his representatives urgently asked him to join a video call.
“It was eight in the morning and I thought, ‘Something has happened, they must have some bad news to give me,'” he continued.
“I was a bit in shock because I wasn’t expecting it. Nobody had told me anything.”
Cucurella did not hesitate
Once the surprise disappeared, Cucurella’s response was immediate.
“You don’t expect it. Not many people can say they have received a call from a club like Real Madrid,” he said.
“I was very excited and I didn’t hesitate for a moment.”
The Spaniard’s words also explain how the deal between Madrid, Chelsea and Cucurella progressed at an incredible pace.
Before anyone realised, Los Blancos had already announced the Spanish left-back as their new signing this summer.
Madrid now have one of the best left-backs of his generation at their club and get to enjoy him during his prime years.
Despite spending many years in La Masia and having come through Barcelona’s academy, Cucurella seems to embody Madrid’s spirit to perfection.
He has made a strong impression on Madrid fans even before his playing career has properly begun and is set to be felicitated tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos fans will hope that Cucurella can carry his World Cup form into the club season, and it remains to be seen how he fares under Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
