Real Madrid's pre-World Cup signing of Cucurella, aimed at lowering the transfer fee, has now proven to be a resounding success.
Real Madrid officially announced the signing of Cucurella on June 15th—the day of Spain's World Cup debut—for a total transfer fee of 55 million euros. Despite already having three full-backs in the squad, Real Madrid moved quickly before the World Cup began to secure this world-class left-back. The player's excellent performance at the World Cup confirmed the club management's brilliant move. He joined as a champion, and his value has appreciated significantly. This deal was completed at the right time, avoiding a post-World Cup price surge.
Real Madrid took the risk of the player being injured or performing poorly at the time. However, due to his outstanding performance at the World Cup, if this signing had not been completed in time, negotiations with Chelsea might have been more difficult, or the transfer fee might have increased. Madrid's stance was clear; they did not wait to sell players to make space. Cucurella will enjoy a well-deserved vacation and join his new club in the second week of August, where he will meet Mourinho, his coaching staff, and his new teammates.
During his press conference after officially joining Real Madrid, Cucurella was asked about his first conversation with Mourinho. The full-back, born in Alella (Barcelona), was surprised by Mourinho's memory, as the Portuguese recalled specific details from their last encounter (Chelsea 1-0 Benfica in the second round of the 2024-25 Champions League group stage). Furthermore, Cucurella emphasized that Mourinho values not only his on-field contributions but also his role in the dressing room. This statement reflects the coach's trust in this signing.
Cucurella is not just a sporting acquisition; he also brings a breath of fresh air to a dressing room that has experienced a turbulent year. As seen at the World Cup, the Spanish full-back became a unifying force for the national team, getting along well with his teammates while demonstrating strong leadership on the field. These qualities are precisely what Real Madrid values. They were looking for a player who could bring authority, personality, and good chemistry. His World Cup journey was a complete success, not only performing well on a sporting level (likely to be included in the tournament's best XI) but also proving very popular among fans (he was one of the most beloved players).
Cucurella will remember the summer of 2026 for the rest of his life. He joined the most successful club in history and achieved every player's dream: winning the World Cup. Many see the glory, but few understand the effort behind it. From being forced to leave La Masia due to lack of opportunities to making a name for himself in England and finally joining Real Madrid as a World Cup winner, he is likely to become a key player for the team.
After leaving Barcelona, he first joined Eibar, where he became a regular under Mendilibar. He was then loaned to Getafe, playing a crucial role in their Europa League campaign. Next, he ventured to England, and after a brilliant year at Brighton, he knocked on Chelsea's door. In London, he became a fan favorite due to his playing style, known for his grit, dedication, physical prowess, and offensive contributions (9 goals and 13 assists in 163 matches). Now he arrives in Madrid, with only a Champions League trophy left to win.
Real Madrid took a risk by signing him before the World Cup, knowing that an injury or poor performance could lead to questions about the deal. However, the payoff from this gamble could not be better. The player's value has soared, he has become one of the stars of the World Cup, and the club is now eagerly anticipating his contributions at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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