RefCam footage from Real Madrid vs. Villarreal reveals Cucurella's role in standing up for the team in front of the referee
Cucurella joined Real Madrid this summer as a World Cup-winning left-back, but last Saturday's match against Villarreal also showcased another side of him: voicing concerns for the team in front of the referee. Recently released RefCam footage from head referee Díaz de Mera shows the Spanish defender acting as a spokesperson on the field during several highly contentious decisions in the match.
The first incident occurred during Pau Navarro's tackle on Mbappé. The referee called a foul, and Cucurella immediately rushed to him, seeking clarification. "You have to check the replay because he almost took him out. He meant to take him out. He was about to score, and the intentionality is important," the defender urged the referee to take note of the danger and deliberate nature of the tackle. Federico Valverde stood beside him, and both protested the decision together, reflecting the tension surrounding the match and the referee's calls.
However, the most striking moment blended protest with banter. During another play, Bellingham complained that the ball was underinflated, and the referee went to check it. Cucurella seized the opportunity to quip to Díaz de Mera: "You haven't made a single correct call, have you?" At this point, Pau Navarro also came over to complain that Real Madrid players always fall to the ground when fouled, to which Cucurella retorted: "Go away, alright? What are you going to say? You should stay at home."
Throughout the match, Cucurella was one of the most vocal players in continuously pressuring the referee, and the atmosphere in the Bernabéu and the locker room was highly charged due to refereeing issues. In fact, after Vinicius was sent off, he even clashed with the fourth official, and it was Bernardo Silva who eventually pulled him away.
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