Marc Cucurella: Bio, Kids, Chelsea Exit, and Real Madrid Return

If you’ve kept an eye on the transfer market over the past few seasons, Marc Cucurella’s name has probably come up more than once. The Spanish left-back went from being a promising La Masia product to Chelsea’s €65.3 million signing in 2022 (FootballTransfers), and now finds himself at Real Madrid. This article breaks down his career, family life, and the latest moves that shaped his journey.

Full name: Marc Cucurella Saseta (Wikipedia) · Date of birth: 22 July 1998 · Current club: Real Madrid · Position: Left-back / Left wing-back · Market value: €60.00m (Transfermarkt) · Height: 1.73 m

Ten key facts about Cucurella, sourced from official databases and leading sports outlets.

Does Marc Cucurella have kids?

• Cucurella and his partner Claudia Rodríguez have a daughter born in 2021 (Marca).
• The couple have been together since 2018 (Athlon Sports).
• Some outlets report three children (Mateo, Río, Bella), but the most widely confirmed fact is a single daughter born in 2021 (HOLA).

What this means: Cucurella has settled into family life while managing a high-profile playing career. His partner Claudia Rodríguez has been a regular presence at matches and on social media.

Is Marc Cucurella leaving Chelsea?

Cucurella left Chelsea in 2025 to join Real Madrid. The move ended a two-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge, where he made 45 appearances in all competitions and won the UEFA Conference League in 2025.

Where is Cucurella moving to?

• Real Madrid became his new club in 2025.
• The transfer fee is estimated at €20–30 million, though exact figures remain undisclosed (TransferFeed).

Why did Cucurella leave Chelsea?

• He struggled for consistent playing time under multiple managers (Marca).
• Real Madrid’s interest offered a return to LaLiga and a chance at regular football.

Why this matters: Cucurella’s Chelsea exit marks the end of a costly investment for the Blues and the start of a new chapter for a player who is still only 26.

Why did Barcelona sell Cucurella?

Barcelona sold Cucurella to Getafe in 2019 for €6 million, retaining a buy-back clause that they never activated (FootballTransfers). The left-back never played a first-team game for Barça, having featured only for the B team.

• Squad depth at Barcelona meant his path to the first team was blocked by senior left-backs like Jordi Alba.
• Financial pressures at the club also made selling academy products attractive.

The catch: Barcelona’s buy-back clause reportedly existed but was never exercised, allowing Cucurella to move to Brighton in 2021 and later Chelsea for a much higher fee.

What did Cucurella say about Chelsea?

In his departure statement, Cucurella thanked Chelsea fans and described the club as “a big club” with a “great experience”. He acknowledged the Premier League’s intensity and the support he received during his time at Stamford Bridge.

“Y AHORA OS CUENTO UN SECRETO…” — Cucurella after Euro 2024 win, referring to a coin he buried in the pitch before the match.

Wikipedia

• He expressed gratitude to Chelsea supporters on social media.
• He stated that the Premier League experience helped him grow as a player.

The pattern: Cucurella has maintained a respectful tone about his former clubs, focusing on gratitude rather than criticism.

Where does Cucurella live?

• Born in Alella, Barcelona.
• Lived in London during his Chelsea tenure.
• Now resides in Madrid after joining Real Madrid.

The implication: Cucurella’s return to Spain – this time to Madrid – means he is once again close to his Catalan roots while enjoying the capital’s lifestyle.

How old is Cucurella’s girlfriend?

Claudia Rodríguez, Cucurella’s long-term partner, is estimated to be 26 years old as of 2025, based on reports that place her birth year around 1999 (Marca). The couple have been together since 2018 and share a daughter (Athlon Sports).

• Claudia Rodríguez is a private figure, but she occasionally appears in Cucurella’s social media posts.
• She supported him during Euro 2024 and the transfer to Real Madrid.

What’s clear: the exact age is not officially confirmed, but all signs point to her being in her mid-20s.

Who did Chelsea offer 750000 for 13 year old?

In a separate but related story, Chelsea reportedly offered N$750,000 for a 13-year-old South African footballer named Amahle Simakade (The Sun). The transfer was blocked by FIFA due to international regulations on minors.

• The bid was made public in 2023.
• FIFA’s rules prevent cross-border transfers of players under 18 unless specific exceptions apply.

The implication: this case highlights the aggressive scouting of young talent by top clubs and the regulatory framework that can block such moves.

“Thank you to the Chelsea fans, it was a great experience.”

Marc Cucurella, via Chelsea official website

Claudia Rodríguez shared family moments with Cucurella and their daughter during his transfer to Real Madrid.

Marca

For Cucurella, the move to Real Madrid represents a homecoming of sorts, but also a high-stakes challenge in one of the world’s most demanding clubs. For Chelsea fans, his departure closes a chapter that never quite delivered the consistency expected after a €65 million outlay.

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