Real Madrid offered Marc Cucurella an ‘opportunity’ that he and his family ‘couldn’t refuse’.
Marc Cucurella has admitted that he didn’t need to think twice about joining Real Madrid. Earlier this week, the former Chelsea defender swapped Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu in a deal worth £51.8million, becoming Jose Mourinho’s first official signing of the summer.
Florentino Perez had promised the arrivals of Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries from Liverpool and Inter Milan, respectively, during his presidential campaign, but they’re yet to be formally unveiled. football.london understands that Cucurella, who has signed a six-year contract with Los Blancos, informed the Blues of his desire to leave at the start of the month.
It’s said that the Spain international wanted to return to his homeland for personal and family reasons. In an interview with Spanish outlet El Mundo, Cucurella revealed he was offered an ‘opportunity’ he and his loved ones ‘couldn’t refuse’, trumping other offers on the table.
“Well, in the end, there were different options, but when the offer from Real Madrid came along, I didn’t hesitate,” he said. “I think it’s a unique opportunity. Ultimately, playing for Real Madrid is an honour, and not many players can say that, so I had no doubts.
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“I think both I and those around me, my family, were clear that it was an opportunity we couldn’t refuse, and I’m very happy with the decision we made.”
Chelsea and Real Madrid managed to wrap up a deal in a matter of days, but there were a couple of small problems along the way. Cucurella continued: “I think it was Sunday afternoon, more or less.
“That’s when they told me that everything was more or less done, that there were still some paperwork issues, signatures, but nothing serious. I think we had it all sorted out in a day or a day and a half.
“And then they announced it, which was a bit more difficult with the time change, because it came out hours before the Cape Verde match, but the truth is that everything was already done.
“By then, I was already thinking about the match and had nothing to worry about,” added the 27-year-old. “I think it all happened in a day and a half or two. Much better for me, much faster, no headaches.
“It’s finally done, and I’m very happy. Happy about the signing and especially happy to be able to focus on the national team, on the World Cup, which I think is a unique opportunity and deserves the best.”
Cucurella and Mourinho shared a few words over the phone. The Spaniard said: “We talked, and he told me he was really looking forward to working with me, that I would adapt very well, and that Real Madrid was a great club. Then, he just wished me the best of luck at the World Cup and said we’d see each other in Madrid.”
The Real Madrid boss reportedly told Cucurella that he was the one and only left-back on his shortlist. When asked about the comment, the Spaniard said: “No, I don’t know if he said that. He told me he wanted me, and I’m very happy about this confidence. I’m looking forward to starting to work with him.”
On why he wanted to join Real Madrid, Cucurella said: “Well, I think it’s been seen many times in their historic comebacks. I think they have a mystique… I don’t know how to put it; it’s unpredictable.
“Very few people watching the matches can understand how Real Madrid can come back and win games when they seem to be on the ropes. To be able to be a part of it, to experience that feeling from the inside, to live through those magical nights is something that, as a footballer, I think everyone enjoys.
“If you’re given the opportunity to experience that, there’s little doubt left.”
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