Newly signed Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella has revealed that a personal phone call from manager José Mourinho was the defining factor in his sudden £51.8 million (€60m) transfer from Chelsea.
Speaking in an expansive interview with Spanish outlet El Mundo, the 27-year-old left-back detailed the high-speed nature of his move back to La Liga and his eagerness to play under the Portuguese tactician.
The transfer represents the first official signing of Mourinho’s highly publicized second stint in charge at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid hierarchy moved with extreme urgency to secure the Spain international, wrapping up the multi-million euro deal in a matter of hours to beat out competing interest from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
According to Cucurella, Mourinho personally initiated contact to outline how the defender would fit into his defensive rebuild in the Spanish capital.
“José Mourinho called me and told me he was really looking forward to working with me, that I would adapt very well, that Real Madrid was a great club,” Cucurella told El Mundo. “Then he told me to have a great World Cup, and that we would see each other in Madrid.”
The direct approach deeply resonated with the former Chelsea man, who has signed a six-year contract keeping him at the club until 2032. Reflecting on the manager’s immediate faith, Cucurella expressed tremendous enthusiasm for the upcoming club season
The speed of the operation caught much of the football world by surprise, but Cucurella noted that the rapid execution was his preferred way of doing business.
“My Real Madrid signing happened SO FAST,” Cucurella stated, clarifying that the entire negotiation was wrapped up within 36 to 48 hours. “That’s how I prefer it, no headaches. I’m so happy now.”
The quick resolution was an ideal outcome for the defender, who reportedly informed Chelsea of his desire to return to his homeland at the start of June for personal and family reasons. Despite earlier expectations that he would remain a core piece under Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge next season, Cucurella made it clear that the pull of the Bernabéu left no room for hesitation.
“When Madrid came I didn’t think about it, it’s a unique opportunity,” Cucurella explained. “Playing for Real Madrid is an honour and not many players can say it, so I had no doubts.”
Cucurella is part of an aggressive summer overhaul orchestrated by club president Florentino Pérez, joining other high-profile arrivals like Ibrahima Konaté and Bernardo Silva who have already committed to the club. The left-back indicated that the legendary “mystique” of Real Madrid—specifically their history of dramatic, unpredictable comebacks when their backs are against the wall—is an environment he has long wanted to experience from the inside.
The player’s high-energy and relentless playing style matches the traditional expectations of the Madrid faithful. “I’m a very hard-working, very determined player, someone who tries to give everything until the very last moment,” Cucurella added. “I think that’s a bit of the Real Madrid DNA, that thing they say about ‘until the end’.”
The defender is currently with the Spain national team competing at the World Cup, meaning his formal presentation at the Bernabéu will take place immediately following the conclusion of the tournament.
