Marc Cucurella Reveals José Mourinho Phone Call That Sealed £52m Real Madrid Move From Chelsea

Marc Cucurella has disclosed that a personal phone call from José Mourinho effectively ended any deliberation over his future, with the defender stating he had “no doubts” once Real Madrid came calling.

The Spanish left-back completed a £52 million transfer to the Bernabéu this summer, departing Chelsea to link up with Mourinho’s project at the Spanish capital club. Speaking to Spanish outlet El Mundo, Cucurella was unequivocal about the appeal of the move.

“When Madrid came, I didn’t even think about it. It’s a unique opportunity,” Cucurella told El Mundo. “Playing for Real Madrid is an honour and not many players can say they’ve done it, so I had no doubts.”

The former Barcelona academy product also described the significance of the decision for his family. “For me and my family it was an opportunity we couldn’t refuse, and I’m very happy with the decision we made,” he said. “When you’re a kid, you dream of playing for big teams, and I think Real Madrid is one of them.”

Crucially, Cucurella confirmed that Mourinho reached out to him directly before the transfer was finalised. “Mourinho told me that he really wanted to work with me, that I was going to adapt very well, and that Madrid was a great club. I am looking forward to working with him,” the defender added.

Cucurella arrives at Real Madrid as one of three high-profile signings already confirmed at the club this summer. He joins midfielder Bernardo Silva and centre-back Ibrahima Konaté at the Bernabéu, with Dutch international Denzel Dumfries also reported to be on his way to the club.

The recruitment drive reflects Real Madrid’s intent to rebuild following two consecutive seasons without silverware — a barren run that represents a significant departure from the club’s historical standards. Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning a La Liga title in the 2011-12 season, has returned to the club with an evident mandate to restore their dominance in both domestic and European competition.

For Cucurella, the move marks a notable chapter in a career that has seen him rise through Barcelona’s La Masia system before establishing himself in England. He joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 in a deal reported at the time to be worth around £62 million. His time at Stamford Bridge was marked by inconsistency under a succession of managers, making the opportunity to work under a manager who specifically requested his services a potentially significant factor in his development.

With the 2026-27 La Liga season approaching, Real Madrid’s restructured squad under Mourinho will face early scrutiny as the club attempts to end their recent trophy drought and reclaim ground on rivals Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.