Real Madrid has already secured a new addition to their squad, and he’s a player who arrives with the title of world champion. Marc Cucurella was officially introduced as a new player for the Merengue squad after wrapping up a four-year stint with Chelsea.
The Spanish left back joins Real Madrid following the 2026 World Cup, where he played a key role for the Spanish national team, appearing in all nine of his country’s matches during the tournament.
Now, after lifting the World Cup trophy, Cucurella is taking one of the most important steps of his career: wearing the Real Madrid jersey.
“It’s an honor to wear this jersey—with all it has won and all it has yet to win,” the player said during his presentation.
The Spaniard will sign a contract that will keep him with Real Madrid through June 30, 2032, making him one of the major signings for the new soccer season.
A career that began in Barcelona
Although he is now reaching the highest level of European soccer, Cucurella’s journey began in Barcelona’s youth academy.
The defender came up through La Masía, but never managed to establish himself on the first team. His playing time with the Blaugrana was limited to just seven minutes in the Copa del Rey during the 2016–17 season.
He then had to forge his own path away from Camp Nou.
One of the most important chapters of his career came at Getafe, where he found regular playing time and began to establish himself as a recognized fullback in LaLiga.
With the Madrid-based club, he played in 86 matches, scored four goals, and recorded eight assists.
Champion with Chelsea
His development eventually led him to the Premier League. Cucurella joined Chelsea, where he remained for four seasons and added major titles to his resume.
With the Blues, he won the Conference League and the 2025 Club World Cup—experiences that cemented his international stature, which he now hopes to bring to Real Madrid.
But if anything boosted his value, it was his performance with Spain.
From the World Cup to the Bernabéu
Cucurella arrives in Madrid at an unbeatable moment. Being a world champion and then becoming a new Real Madrid player represents a huge leap for any player.
The Spaniard also made no secret of his excitement at getting to experience the Santiago Bernabéu up close—a stadium he previously had to visit as an opponent.
Now the story will be different.
Cucurella will no longer have to look at the Bernabéu from the other side of the field. From now on, he’ll be defending its colors and looking to help Real Madrid win new titles.
For the fullback, his dream has come true. For Madrid, a new chapter begins with a world champion who arrives ready to make his mark.
