Marc Cucurella is enjoying the best spell of his career.

A World Cup winner with Spain in 2026, a new signing for Real Madrid and a nominee for the Ballon d'Or award, the full-back has established himself as one of the world’s finest footballers.

It is the reward for the perseverance of a player who has made the left flank his own and performed at the very highest level on the most demanding stages in the world.

However, the journey was not always an easy one…

Before pulling on the Real Madrid shirt and earning widespread recognition, Cucurella had to overcome periods of intense pressure, constant criticism and the burden of being the main target of scrutiny during his first few months at Chelsea.

Criticism in England and the weight of the transfer

Following his move to Chelsea from Brighton for £62 million in 2022, the Spanish full-back found himself at the centre of scepticism.

A difficult first season in London, compounded by health issues and the team’s instability, led to questions about his performance.

The pressure mounted in the run-up to Euro 2024, when former Manchester United player and pundit Gary Neville openly criticised his inclusion in the Spanish national team.

“I think Cucurella is one of the reasons why Spain probably won’t be able to go all the way. I don’t think he has the standard or the quality required for a tournament of that calibre,” he said on ‘ITV Sport’.

Mental strength and adaptation

Rather than responding to the comments, Cucurella chose to focus on his day-to-day work and on strengthening his mental resilience.

The cost of his transfer was a recurring theme in the English media, but he understood that settling in would take time and that criticism would be par for the course.

“When so much money is paid for you, people expect you to be a machine from day one. Football doesn’t work like that. I went through some very tough times with my family and health problems, but I knew that if I worked on my mindset and focused on my own game, I’d eventually prove who I am,” the footballer acknowledged in the Guardian.

The first criticism of Cucurella came as a result of mistakes that did not go unnoticed in his first Premier League matches.

Falls and slips sparked debate over the player’s performance and the value of his transfer for the club. His first year was thoroughly inconsistent.

Tactical development and his response to Neville

However, as time went on, Cucurella established himself in Chelsea’s first team and gradually improved his performances on the pitch.

He began to drift into central areas to help build play out from the back as if he were another midfielder, whilst also showing great defensive aggression in stopping opposing wingers in one-on-one situations.

By 2024, Cucurella was a first-choice player for both Chelsea and the Spanish national team. That same year, he won the European Championship with ‘La Roja’ and, shortly afterwards, was crowned Club World Cup champion with the ‘Blues’.

The defender weathered the criticism through consistent performances and tactical development.

He even responded to Gary Neville himself after that European Championship: “We made it all the way, Gary. Thanks for your support.”

A player firmly established amongst the elite

His performance and solidity at the 2026 World Cup whilst wearing the Spanish national team shirt served to confirm his current form.

His ability to cover the flank, contain opposing attackers and bring balance to the team earned him a place on the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.

Today, having established himself at Real Madrid as a reliable full-back, Marc Cucurella demonstrates the importance of mindset in top-flight football.

His reputation has evolved from one that raised doubts to becoming the hallmark of a footballer who has overcome adversity through hard work and consistency.