One of Real Madrid’s top youth talents has been forced to hang up his boots aged just 19 after he failed to recover from a cruciate ligament injury caused by a tackle from an opponent.
A product of Real’s famed La Fabrica academy, Marc Cucalon rose up the ranks after joining the setup from Zaragoza in 2016 and earned comparisons to Los Blancos great Xabi Alonso thanks to his leadership, vision and passing.
The talented midfielder eventually made his way into the Real Madrid C squad, the highest non-professional team at the club and just one step down from top youth side Real Madrid Castilla.
He was playing just his fourth match in the UEFA Youth League away at Celtic on September 6, 2022 when a challenge forced him off the pitch with an injury.
But Cucalon’s recovery from the torn cruciate ligament in his right knee, a significant but fairly common injury, did not go to plan and he has now retired from the sport, RMC Sport reports.
Top Real Madrid talent Marc Cucalon has retired after failing to recover from a knee injury
The midfielder (pictured, shaking hands with Florentino Perez) has quit football aged just 19
Cucalon (pictured, with Luka Modric) was the victim of a horror injury caused by a tackle
The youngster posted a heart-breaking message on Instagram to confirm his decision to call time on his fledging career.
He said: ‘I didn’t know how to start this letter. So I’ll do it by saying THANK YOU to everyone. From the bottom of my heart. For all the support you have given me throughout this time.
‘I arrived at the Real Madrid youth team 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 changed completely on September 6, 2022, when I was seriously injured in a match of the @uefayouthleague.
‘After several complications, that injury has forced me to make the tough 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 strength and I have tried everything in my power to enjoy this sport again, but it has not been possible to recover. Although do not 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 take 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 keep 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.
The academy product has trained with first-team stars such as Karim Benzema and Marcelo
Alvaro Arbeloa, who coached Cucalon at the team below his current one, led tributes
The highly-rated talent joined from Zaragoza in 2016 and earned comparisons to Xabi Alonso
‘Endless thanks to my family. Thanks to my parents, who have always supported me in every decision and every obstacle in my path.
‘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.’
An operation on the issue accidentally resulted in bacteria entering his body and causing an infection in his knee, damaging the cartilage of the joint.
Despite being in severe pain, Cucalon persisted with his recovery, undergoing multiple treatments, but a comeback never arrived and the injury left him unable to do moderate levels of exercise.
Former Real star Alvaro Arbeloa, coach of Juvenil A which is the team below Real Madrid Castilla, said: ‘You don’t know how many times this game comes to mind.
‘It’s hard for me not to think about the huge player you were going to be (and already were), but you always have to look to the future. You know it better than anyone, you deserve the best, Marc, we will always be there for whatever you need.’
