Cucurella calls for patience at Real Madrid: 'If the season ends well, nobody will remember this start'

Marc Cucurella, one of Real Madrid's marquee signings this summer, opened up about the team's early-season form and his own settling-in process at the Santiago Bernabéu. Speaking in a radio interview, the left-back played down the derby defeat against Atlético Madrid and sent a calm message: if the campaign ends the way everyone expects, few will recall the stumbles of August and September.

• The Catalan defender admits Real Madrid did not finish the first stretch of the season in top gear, but he trusts the squad to build a strong foundation.
• Cucurella rules out getting a Mourinho tattoo if they win the Champions League, while praising the Portuguese coach's approachable nature.
• He explains how the rapid attacking style of Vinicius and Mbappé changes his role: "When I want to attack, they are so quick they have already shot."
• He believes refereeing decisions shifted the derby, though he refuses to use that as the only excuse for the loss.
• He confirms he sent a subtle message to Rodri in an attempt to bring him to Real Madrid.

What the Madrid derby defeat means for Real Madrid's season start

Cucurella admitted the team did not reach the international break at its best. "We did not finish the first stretch of the season in the best way. It's all a process, but the key is building a strong base and deciding things in the final months," he said. For the Spain international, the main goal is finding the right balance and forging a tight-knit group capable of delivering when the decisive fixtures arrive.

The full-back also put the current mood into perspective: if the season ends with silverware, nobody will spend time analysing whether the side switched off at certain moments or dropped a couple of points. That faith in the process underpins his short-term message.

Cucurella and his adjustment to Vinicius and Mbappé's attacking pace

One of his most honest reflections came when comparing his attacking output at Chelsea with his role at Real Madrid. Cucurella accepts he is less visible going forward, but not through a lack of intent: the nature of the team's attacking play means the front line moves before the full-backs can arrive. "When I want to attack, they are so quick they have already shot," he explained.

The defender described a mutual adaptation process: defenders must adjust to the rapid style of the attackers, and the attackers must adapt to the needs of the full-backs as well. He acknowledged there has been almost no pre-season and that his first competitive month is unfolding at high speed, though he pointed to some green shoots alongside clear areas for improvement.

The growing connection with Vinicius on the left flank

Asked about the match against Atlético Madrid, Cucurella admitted that linking up with Vinicius is positive, but the lack of shared training sessions makes it harder to build automatic movements. "Connecting with me is different from other full-backs, but it's all a process," he noted, praising the Brazilian's defensive commitment even though it is not his strongest quality.

When I want to attack, they are so quick they have already shot. Defenders have to adapt to their style, and they have to adapt to us.

The Luis de la Fuente tattoo and unresolved promise to Mourinho

The 2026 World Cup winner with Spain joked about the tattoo he got of Luis de la Fuente's face after triumphing in the tournament. Far from regretting it, Cucurella says he plans to add more ink around that lasting reminder of an achievement that was extremely difficult to earn.

He ruled out making a similar commitment with José Mourinho should Real Madrid win the Champions League. He prefers to take things step by step and avoid promises that, as he admits with a laugh, he tends to end up keeping. On Mourinho, he highlighted how surprised he has been by the manager's close, good-humoured personality, so different from the image he projected on television.

Back with Spain and the return to national team routine

Cucurella also discussed his return to the Spain squad. Although the summer was long and the reunion comes only weeks after the World Cup triumph, the full-back insists that sharing a dressing room with his international teammates is always a joy. The atmosphere, the memories from the tournament and the familiar faces help him switch off from the demands of club football.

Looking ahead, he highlighted the motivation of playing at venues like Wembley, a perfect stage to prove the national team's level. He rejected any suggestion that Spain have reached their ceiling: the core of the group is excellent and there are still young players with plenty of room to grow.

The Ballon d'Or and his teammates' campaign

Asked who he would vote for in the Ballon d'Or, Cucurella declined to pick a side. He plays alongside several contenders and would be happy whether the award goes to a Spanish player or to Mbappé. What he does know is that if he ever found himself genuinely in contention, he would campaign openly and look straight into the camera to ask for votes, just as politicians do.

Bernabéu whistles, refereeing and the 'hidden hand' against Real Madrid

The full-back was not surprised by the home crowd's whistles. Used to being booed at away grounds, he was struck by how quickly the Bernabéu demands results: during the Inter match, fans began whistling when the team had barely touched the ball. Cucurella understands that such high standards stem from watching decades of magical nights and world-class players.

On the derby, he was clear: he does not want to hide behind the referee because scoring four goals would have ended the debate, but he believes the red card and the penalty tipped the match. As for the so-called hidden hand working against Real Madrid, he refused to get involved: he has just arrived and sees it as a day when external mistakes simply went against them.

From London to Madrid: Marc Cucurella's change of life

The Catalan defender also spoke about settling into the Spanish capital. The sunshine, the food and the family routine mark a big difference from his time in London. He admits the first weeks were hectic, but the start of school and the return to daily habits have brought the calm he needs to perform.

He also joked about already thinking of his summer fitness goals as a way to stay motivated in the gym. On a personal level, he said being a role model as a father and as a person means more to him than being recognised as a good footballer, even though he enjoys the affection he receives.