Marc Cucurella Confident in Real Madrid's Prospects Under Jose Mourinho
Marc Cucurella, who recently joined Real Madrid from Chelsea for £47.5 million, has expressed strong belief that the team will thrive this season under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. The Spanish full-back is excited about working with the Portuguese coach again and sees great potential for the club.
Mourinho Inspires Confidence in Madrid Squad
After his initial training sessions with the squad, Cucurella was impressed by Mourinho’s influence. Speaking to Real Madrid TV, he said the coach brought "a lot of confidence and naturalness" to the players. According to Cucurella, the key is for the team to play their own style while enjoying the process. He added, "I think what we all want is to win and to have a great year."
A Dream Move to the Capital
Though Cucurella developed in Barcelona's La Masia academy, he found the chance to join the 15-time European champions irresistible. After contributing to Spain’s World Cup victory, the defender views Real Madrid as the ultimate stage in football. The prospect of joining Mourinho’s project and playing for Europe's biggest club convinced him to leave England, where he spent four successful years with Brighton and Chelsea.
“As a kid starting out playing football, then having the opportunity to play for a club like this, it’s very hard to turn down,” Cucurella shared. “When the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate for a second. As a spectator, I’ve seen all those magical nights, those comebacks at the Bernabeu, all the Champions League titles they’ve lifted. Having the chance to experience it first-hand and be a part of it is a huge responsibility, but also a very beautiful and important challenge.”
Wearing the Iconic White Shirt
Joining a roster strengthened by new signings like Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, and Denzel Dumfries, Cucurella understands the expectations that come with representing Madrid. The 28-year-old, who made 163 appearances for Chelsea and helped them win the Conference League and Club World Cup in 2025, sees this move as recognition of his dedication through previous stints at clubs such as Getafe and Eibar.
“It’s an honour – not many people can say they’ve worn this jersey. We’ve seen great legends here, it’s a club with a lot of history, the biggest in Europe. Being here today is a privilege, an honour, and above all, a reward for all the effort I’ve put into my career,” he added.
Final Preparations Before the New Season
Real Madrid is nearing the final stage of pre-season as the new La Liga campaign draws close. The team will face Deportivo de A Coruna on August 12 and Schalke soon after, offering Mourinho opportunities to blend new players and fine-tune tactics. The official season begins on August 22 with an away match against Espanyol, marking the start of Madrid's quest for trophies.
- Club: Deportivo de A Coruna
- Date: 12 Aug 2026
- Time: 21:00
- Fixture: Real Madrid vs Deportivo de A Coruna
