A special night with work still ahead

Marc Cucurella made his long-awaited Santiago Bernabéu debut as a Real Madrid player in the 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, but admitted after the game that he is still working his way back to full fitness following a shortened preseason.

The Spanish full-back has not started either of Madrid’s opening two LaLiga matches and knows getting back to his best will take some time. For now, he is making steady progress while José Mourinho carefully manages his minutes early in the campaign.

“Step by step. It’s clear that we didn’t have much of a preseason, but little by little, I’m feeling better. We’re doing a great job,” Cucurella told Real Madrid’s official media. He also praised Mourinho’s ability to manage the squad over what promises to be a long season.

A first time he won't soon forget

Fitness aside, Cucurella could hardly have asked for a better introduction to his new home. Real Madrid cruised past Real Sociedad, while the defender also had the chance to celebrate the Club World Cup trophy in front of the Bernabéu crowd.

“A perfect night, you can’t ask for more,” said the Spaniard, who praised Madrid’s collective performance against a team that caused them problems despite the final scoreline.

But one detail made the occasion even more meaningful: his family was at the Bernabéu to watch him as a Real Madrid player for the first time.

An emotion that went beyond football

Cucurella made no attempt to hide what sharing the moment with his loved ones meant to him. After completing his summer move, he finally had the chance to step onto the Bernabéu pitch in white with his family watching from the stands.

“It was very emotional. A very important day, the first time my family was here at the stadium to see me. I’m very happy, and I hope there are more nights like this,” he said.

The full-back also thanked the Madrid supporters for the reception he received. His next challenge is clear: earning a regular place in Mourinho’s starting XI once he is back to peak condition.

Mbappé leaves quite the first impression

While Cucurella enjoyed a memorable evening, Kylian Mbappé ultimately stole the show. The Frenchman scored a hat-trick against Real Sociedad, and his new teammate believes there is plenty more to come.

“He is a decisive player, and it’s a privilege to have him on our side. I hope he continues scoring more goals. This won’t be his last hat-trick of the season,” Cucurella predicted.

With Mbappé firing and Madrid starting the season strongly, Cucurella can now focus on getting back to his best and fighting for a bigger role in the team.

3 Key Takeaways From Cucurella’s Comments

• He is not at 100 percent yet: Cucurella admitted the shortened preseason has affected his fitness, although he is gradually feeling better.
• A deeply personal Bernabéu debut: his family watched him at the stadium as a Real Madrid player for the first time, making the occasion even more emotional.
• He expects more from Mbappé: after watching the Frenchman score a hat-trick against Real Sociedad, Cucurella predicted it will not be his last of the season.