Like all children and young people who land in Valdebebas, Marc Cucalon came from his land, Aragonwith the hope of succeeding in the real Madrid. He did it in 2016, from Royal Zaragozaand after joining the white Infantil team, he rose through the ranks under the watchful eye of the club’s coaches. He was one of the jewels of the ‘Factory’, a midfielder of great class and vision of the game to whom everyone predicted a promising football career.
But more than two years ago, cruel fate crossed his path and literally broke his future. In September 2022, being captain of the Juvenil A team that he directed Alvaro Arbeloasuffered a tough tackle during the Youth League match against the Glasgow Celtic Scottish. Result: rupture of the cruciate ligament in the right knee.
During the operation for this injury, a bacteria attacked the cartilage of the joint. He has fought for more than 700 days to recover, but it has not been possible. And this Tuesday, the young athlete (19 years old), published on his account instagram a heartbreaking letter in which he announces his retirement from football:
«I didn’t know how to start this letter. So I’ll do it by THANKING everyone. From the heart. For all the support you have given me during all this time. I arrived at the Real Madrid youth academy in the summer of 2016 as a child with a backpack full of dreams and I have been very, very happy. And the truth is that my life completely changed that September 6, 2022, when I was seriously injured in a @uefayouthleague match.
After several complications, this injury has forced me to make the hard decision to say GOODBYE to football, at least in the way I had always dreamed of. During these last two years I have fought physically and mentally with all my might and I have tried everything in my power to enjoy this sport again, but it has not been possible to recover. Although don’t get me wrong: this is not a sad farewell at all.
After all, I think I have been truly privileged to have been part of the best club in the world and to have lived a dream. I have learned and matured as a person and as a player. I will carry with me for the rest of my life the values that have been instilled in me and, of course, football has taught me in every victory and in every defeat: you always have to overcome and continue fighting to overcome obstacles. Those lessons will be part of my life forever.
It is time to look back and be grateful to all the people who have been by my side on this journey.
Endless thanks to my family. Thanks to my parents, who have always supported me in every decision and every stone along the way. It is true that leaving home to fulfill my dream was difficult. But seeing their happy faces when they saw me enjoying myself on the field became my greatest pride. Thanks also to my friends, the unconditional ones who have never let me down.
I want to thank all the teammates with whom I have shared a dressing room. I take away unique sporting and personal moments. To all the coaches and technical staff who have helped me; I always tried to improve based on your advice. To all the directors and quarry managers, from the first day until today, for the treatment and trust placed in me. To the rest of the staff and workers of Real Madrid City: delegates, props, staff from the Valdebebas residence (my second home), tutors, teachers… Thank you for your enormous work.
Doctors and healthcare personnel deserve special mention. Thank you for your unconditional dedication and the affection with which you have treated me. Thanks to all the physios, who have given everything for me. Thank you all for helping me on this long and hard road.
I don’t want to leave anyone behind. Thanks to my representatives for their help and respect. Thanks to my sponsor, @adidas_es, for their trust and support from day one.
And thanks to the football fans, from whom I have always received their love and good words.
It is also time to remember the teams in which I began to fulfill my dream of being a footballer because I will never forget them: Santa Isabel, Amistad, Real Zaragoza and, above all, where it all began, my beloved Alfajarín.
Now I have a new stage ahead of me, a new life in which I am sure that I will apply all the experiences that have marked me until today. And I do it with the same enthusiasm and motivation with which I have worn the Real Madrid shirt all these years. Because with this club I want to conclude this message of gratitude: Thank you, @realmadrid, for never letting go of my hand. And thanks to all the people who have supported me from the first moment.
Eternally grateful.
MARC CUCALON PINA»
The responses of affection and encouragement have not been long in coming and, among others, his former colleagues have wished him the best. Nico Paz, Asencio and Antonio Blancoand MarceloReal Madrid legend still active. The former soccer player has been examples of
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