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Marc Cucurella Explains Real Madrid Move, Says Chelsea Exit Was a “Dream Opportunity”
Spanish defender Marc Cucurella has opened up on his decision to leave Chelsea FC ahead of the 2026/27 season, describing his switch to Real Madrid as a lifelong dream he could not ignore.
The left-back recently completed a high-profile move to the Santiago Bernabéu, bringing his Premier League spell to an end to return to Spain and join one of football’s most decorated clubs.
Speaking after sealing the transfer, Cucurella said the opportunity to represent Real Madrid was a decisive moment in his career, adding that he “had no doubts” once the offer arrived.
He also revealed that the prospect of working under returning manager José Mourinho influenced his decision, noting that the coach personally expressed his desire to work with him and made him feel central to the club’s plans.
Cucurella said:
“I was happy at Chelsea. But in life sometimes you need to change and you start new chapters that you don’t expect. For me and my family it was an opportunity we couldn’t refuse, and I’m very happy with the decision we made. When you’re a kid, you dream of playing for big teams, and I think Real Madrid is one of them”.
He continued:
“I want to win the Champions League at Real Madrid. They have the most UCLs, I want to be part of it”.
Despite the emotional exit, the defender insisted his departure from Chelsea was not driven by dissatisfaction but by ambition and the desire to take the next step in his career.
He expressed gratitude to Chelsea and supporters for his time in London while making clear that the move represents a fresh chapter in his professional journey rather than a reaction to any internal issues at Stamford Bridge.
With his arrival in Madrid, Cucurella now begins a new challenge at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, where expectations will be high as he looks to compete for major honours, including the UEFA Champions League.