Former Real Madrid youth player forced to retire at 19 grateful to club – ‘They treated me very well’ | OneFootball

The story of Marc Cucalon, a former Real Madrid youth player, is something every footballer would like to avoid.

Once considered one of Real Madrid’s brightest young talents, the midfielder was forced to hang up his boots at just 19 years old after two years of battling a bacterial infection that complicated his recovery from a torn ligament in his right knee.

Despite the heartbreaking end to his professional dream, Cucalon has shared a message of profound gratitude for the club he called home from 2016 to 2024.

Cucalon expresses gratitude towards Real Madrid

In a recent interview with Post United (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Cucalon has thanked Real Madrid for never abandoning him, highlighting how the club refused to let him face the ordeal alone.

“I will be forever grateful to Real Madrid for not abandoning me. They behaved as what they are, the best club in the world,” he said.

Perhaps most remarkably, the club chose to secure his future even when his return to the pitch was no longer a possibility.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marc Cucalón Pina (@marc_cucalon6)

“Real Madrid renewed my contract when I was injured and they knew I wasn’t going to be able to play football again. They treated me very well,” he added.

The club provided him with “the newest, most innovative rehabilitation possible,” ensuring he could at least transition into a healthy, normal life.

Cucalon also credited first-team coach Alvaro Arbeloa for facilitating a vital connection with former Madrid player Sergio Canales, who had navigated similar injury struggles.

“Those were very difficult times, and Sergio Canales helped me a lot. I was in contact with Arbeloa, and he introduced us because I had suffered similar injuries.

“He helped me immensely, both during the injury and now in this new phase. I’m very grateful,” he said.

As mentioned earlier, the cause of his premature retirement was a bacterial infection contracted during surgery following a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

Today, Cucalon is channelling his experiences into Futbol 360, an innovative sports health and technical training program he recently launched.