Gavi gives thoughts on Marc Cucurella move to Real Madrid – “Lamine Yamal has been teasing him” | OneFootball

Earlier this week, Real Madrid announced the signing of Spain international defender Marc Cucurella from Chelsea. The 27-year-old will move to the Bernabeu later this summer, but first, he will be focused on achieving success with Spain at this summer’s World Cup.

News of Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid dominated the Spanish camp in the 24 hours before La Roja’s goalless draw against Cape Verde on Monday. However, Barcelona’s Gavi has admitted that no one in the squad knew about the deal until mere hours before it was confirmed by the Bernabeu club, as he told RAC1.

“We found out (Cucurella was joining Real Madrid) the day before, after training. We didn’t expect it and nobody knew, the b****** kept it very quiet. Lamine has been teasing him a bit, because now he will be the one to defend him in the Clasicos. But I like him as a rival. He’s tough and intense. He’s a good signing for Real Madrid, I’m happy for him.”

Cucurella has shut down Lamine Yamal in the past

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

That battle between Cucurella and Lamine Yamal is one that many El Clasico viewers will have a vested interest in ahead of next season’s matches. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger was shut down by Alvaro Carreras in the first meeting between the sides during the 2025-26 campaign, and the new left-back has every chance of doing similar, given that he kept him quiet when Chelsea defeated in the Catalans in the Champions League last November.

On the whole, Real Madrid will hope that Cucurella can help them improve their record against Barcelona. Over the last two seasons, Los Blancos have only won once against their arch rivals (2-1 in October 2025), and it will be up to Jose Mourinho to ensure that his side bucks this trend.