Old Grudge Follows Spaniard To Germany
Marc Cucurella’s dream Real Madrid debut came with an unexpected twist. Sections of the crowd at Schalke’s Veltins Arena booed his every touch during Sunday’s pre-season friendly, just two months after his £51.8 million move from Chelsea to the Spanish giants.
Notably, the hostile reception had nothing to do with his performance. Cucurella came off the bench in the 61st minute, replacing Alvaro Carreras, and helped Real Madrid to a comfortable 3-0 victory. Vinicius Junior was also targeted by jeers during the same match, suggesting a broader atmosphere of animosity from the German crowd that evening.
The real explanation traces back to Euro 2024. During Spain’s quarter-final victory over Germany, a shot from Jamal Musiala struck Cucurella’s arm inside the penalty area, yet referee Anthony Taylor chose not to award a penalty. Spain went on to win 2-1 after extra time, eliminating the host nation in front of their own supporters.
German fans, evidently, have not forgotten that moment. Cucurella faced similar treatment during Spain’s subsequent semi-final against France that same tournament, and Sunday’s reaction suggests the grudge remains firmly intact two years later.
Cucurella Refuses To Let Boos Spoil Debut
Despite the hostile atmosphere, Cucurella didn’t let the reception dampen his enthusiasm for finally fulfilling a childhood dream. “I am very happy,” he said afterward. “Behind all this, there is a lot of work, and all the effort I’ve put in over the years has been worth it.”
He continued reflecting on the broader significance of the moment, adding that he hoped to keep winning titles and enjoying the experience going forward. Speaking further about settling into his new surroundings, Cucurella also praised the impact Jose Mourinho has already made on the training ground, describing the confidence and naturalness the manager has instilled since arriving.
For Real Madrid, Cucurella’s arrival points toward a genuine starting role in the coming months. His big-money move arrives fresh off winning the World Cup with Spain this summer, according to SportBible, reinforcing his status as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
Readers following Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations can find continued coverage on KCPredict as the new campaign approaches.