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Article Summary
Marc Cucurella is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back or left wing-back for La Liga club Real Betis and the Spain national team. Born in Alella, Catalonia, on 22 July 1998, Cucurella came through the youth systems of Espanyol and Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. He made his senior breakthrough on loan at Eibar and Getafe before joining Brighton in 2021. In 2022, he moved to Chelsea for £63 million, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023. In June 2026, he completed a £51.8 million move to Real Madrid, signing a six-year deal until 2032. Cucurella was instrumental in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 victory and started every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping Spain concede just once in eight games and winning the tournament. He has been in a long-term relationship with Claudia Rodriguez since 2018; they have three children, with their eldest son diagnosed with autism. His net worth is estimated at approximately $30 million.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marc Cucurella Saseta |
| Born | 22 July 1998 |
| Birthplace | Alella, Catalonia, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Age | 27 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Position | Left-back, Left wing-back |
| Current Club | Real Madrid |
| Jersey Number | — |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Partner | Claudia Rodriguez (since 2018) |
| Children | Three: Mateo, Rio, Bella |
| Net Worth | Estimated $30 million |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Marc Cucurella Saseta was born on 22 July 1998 in Alella, a small Catalan town just 20 kilometers north of Barcelona, Spain. Football has always run through his Catalan blood.
Cucurella’s journey into football began unconventionally. His father, Oscar, was a car salesman who loved football and would play with him for hours. When Cucurella was around eight years old, a chance encounter at his father’s car dealership led to a trial with Espanyol’s academy. He joined Espanyol‘s youth system in 2006 and spent six years there before moving to Barcelona‘s famed La Masia academy in 2012.
At La Masia, Cucurella absorbed Barcelona’s philosophy of possession-based football. He grew up watching defensive giants like Carles Puyol and attacking experts like Xavi and Andres Iniesta. “I learned a lot of things about being in possession, and I can use that in my professional football today,” Cucurella later reflected. Before joining the academy system, he started playing futsal with older, bigger players, which helped develop his close control and quick thinking.
Club Career
Barcelona and La Liga Loans (2016-2020)
Cucurella made his senior debut for Barcelona B in 2016, making 48 appearances and scoring one goal. He made his first-team debut for Barcelona in the 2017-18 season, but this was his only appearance for the senior side.
In 2018, he moved on loan to Eibar, a modest Basque club. Initially struggling to get game time, he eventually became a starter and never looked back. His performances caught the attention of Getafe, where he spent the 2019-20 season on loan, making 37 appearances. In 2020, Getafe made the move permanent, and he contributed three goals in 38 league appearances.
Brighton & Hove Albion (2021-2022)
In August 2021, Cucurella signed for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion. He adapted quickly to English football, making 35 league appearances and earning a reputation as one of the league’s most promising left-backs.
Chelsea (2022-2026)
In August 2022, Cucurella joined Chelsea for a reported £63 million. Initially finding the physicality and speed of the Premier League a challenge, he worked hard to adapt. “The physicality and the speed of the game are very different in Spain,” he admitted. “I needed to work hard and go to the gym a lot.”
At Chelsea, Cucurella became a mainstay on the left side of defense. Over four seasons, he made 115 league appearances and scored six goals. He won the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. In the 2025-26 season, he made 50 appearances, scoring one goal.
Real Madrid (2026-Present)
In June 2026, Cucurella completed a surprise £51.8 million move to Real Madrid, signing a six-year deal until 2032. He was keen to return to Spain after coming through Barcelona’s academy. “Real Madrid is one of the best clubs in the world. The pressure will be massive,” Cucurella said after the move. He will officially join the club after completing his World Cup duties.
International Career
Cucurella represented Spain at every youth level from U16 to U23, including the Olympic team. He made his senior debut for the Spain national team in 2021.
He was part of Spain’s victorious UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, earning a place in the team of the tournament.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Cucurella established himself as Spain’s undisputed left-back at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He started every match of the tournament, playing all 90 minutes in each game, including the final against Argentina on 19 July 2026. Spain conceded just one goal in their eight matches—the fewest by any side in a World Cup-winning campaign.
After the final whistle, Cucurella celebrated Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina. Following the triumph, he announced he would retire from the Spain national team, joking, “If I win the next match, I’ll have both the European Championship and the World Cup.”
Major Achievements
Brighton & Hove Albion
- N/A
Chelsea
- UEFA Europa Conference League: 2024-25
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2025
Spain National Team
- UEFA European Championship: 2024
- FIFA World Cup: 2026
Individual
- UEFA Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament
- FIFA Club World Cup Team of the Tournament: 2025
Personal Life
Cucurella has been in a long-term relationship with Claudia Rodriguez since 2018. They met while he was at Barcelona. Rodriguez is a fashion designer, dancer, and influencer with nearly 170,000 Instagram followers.
Together, they have three children: Mateo (born around 2019), Rio, and Bella. Their eldest son, Mateo, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In a 2025 Amazon Prime documentary, the couple spoke about the challenges of raising a child with autism. Cucurella said, “Okay, your kid is autistic, but the parents are not ready with this. So, we need to learn a lot.”
Latest News
As of July 2026, Marc Cucurella is celebrating becoming a 2026 FIFA World Cup winner with Spain. He started every match of the tournament as Spain’s undisputed left-back. Spain conceded just one goal in eight games – the fewest by any side in a World Cup-winning campaign.
Cucurella has also completed a £51.8 million move to Real Madrid, signing a six-year deal until 2032. He will join the club after the World Cup. He has announced his retirement from the Spain national team following the World Cup triumph.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid debut | 2026-27 La Liga season |
| La Liga 2026-27 | Starts August 2026 |
| UEFA Champions League 2026-27 | The group stage begins September 2026 |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Won (with Spain) |
| 2025 | FIFA Club World Cup | Won (with Chelsea) |
| 2025 | UEFA Europa Conference League | Won (with Chelsea) |
| 2024 | UEFA European Championship | Won (with Spain) |
| 2024 | Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament | Selected |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Born in Alella, Catalonia, Spain |
| 2006 | Joined Espanyol’s youth academy |
| 2012 | Moved to Barcelona’s La Masia academy |
| 2016 | Made debut for Barcelona B |
| 2017 | Made first-team debut for Barcelona |
| 2018-2020 | Loan spells at Eibar and Getafe |
| 2020 | Signed permanently with Getafe |
| 2021 | Joined Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 2022 | Joined Chelsea for £63 million |
| 2024 | Won Euro 2024 with Spain |
| 2025 | Won UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea |
| 2026 | Signed for Real Madrid for £51.8 million |
| 2026 | Won FIFA World Cup with Spain |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona B | 2016-2018 | 48 | 1 | |
| Barcelona | 2017-2018 | 0 | 0 | One first-team appearance |
| Eibar (loan) | 2018-2019 | 31 | 1 | |
| Getafe (loan) | 2019-2020 | 37 | 1 | |
| Getafe | 2020-2021 | 38 | 3 | |
| Brighton | 2021-2022 | 35 | 1 | |
| Chelsea | 2022-2026 | 115 | 6 | 163 total appearances |
| Real Madrid | 2026-Present | 0 | 0 |
International Caps: 31 (as of 14 July 2026)
FAQs
How old is Marc Cucurella?
Marc Cucurella was born on 22 July 1998 in Alella, Spain, which makes him 27 years old as of 2026.
What is Marc Cucurella’s net worth?
Marc Cucurella’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $30 million as of 2026. His cumulative transfer value has reached €156 million, making him the second most expensive defender in football history.
Which club does Marc Cucurella play for?
Marc Cucurella plays as a left-back for La Liga club Real Betis. He signed a six-year deal in June 2026.
Has Marc Cucurella won the World Cup?
Yes. Cucurella won the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final on 19 July 2026.
Is Marc Cucurella married?
Cucurella is in a long-term relationship with Claudia Rodriguez, whom he met in 2018. They are not yet married but have three children together.
Does Marc Cucurella have children?
Yes. Cucurella and his partner Claudia have three children: Mateo, Rio, and Bella. Their eldest son, Mateo, was diagnosed with autism.
What is Marc Cucurella’s height?
Marc Cucurella stands at 1.74 meters (5 feet 9 inches).
What position does Marc Cucurella play?
Marc Cucurella plays as a left-back or left wing-back.
What is Marc Cucurella’s contract at Real Madrid?
Cucurella signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid in June 2026 that runs until 2032.
Where is Marc Cucurella from?
Marc Cucurella was born in Alella, Catalonia, Spain, a town about 20 kilometers north of Barcelona.
Key Takeaways
- Marc Cucurella is a Spanish left-back born on 22 July 1998 in Alella, Catalonia.
- He came through the youth systems of Espanyol and Barcelona’s La Masia academy.
- He made his Premier League breakthrough with Brighton before joining Chelsea in 2022 for £63 million, making 163 appearances.
- In June 2026, he signed for Real Madrid for £51.8 million on a six-year deal.
- He won Euro 2024 with Spain and started every match of the 2026 World Cup, helping Spain concede just once in eight games to win the tournament.
- He has been in a long-term relationship with Claudia Rodriguez since 2018; they have three children, with their eldest son diagnosed with autism.
- He has announced his retirement from the Spain national team after the World Cup triumph.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately $30 million.
Conclusion
Marc Cucurella’s journey from the futsal courts of Alella to the pinnacle of world football is a story of resilience, determination, and unwavering family values. From his early days at Espanyol and Barcelona’s La Masia to his record-breaking Premier League career and triumphant return to Spain with Real Madrid, Cucurella has consistently proven his quality at every level. His performances at the 2026 World Cup, where he started every match and helped Spain concede just one goal in eight games, cemented his legacy as one of the best left-backs in the world. Off the pitch, his dedication to his family, particularly his son Mateo’s autism journey, has shown a depth of character beyond football. As he prepares to don the white of Real Madrid and retire from international football on the highest possible note, Marc Cucurella’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
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