Marc Cucurella says his move to Real Madrid was sorted in a day and a half, or two days at most. He also says he had “no doubts” when the offer arrived, and that Jose Mourinho’s call helped put him at ease before the deal was announced hours before Spain’s Cape Verde match.

How the deal came together so quickly

Cucurella said Sunday afternoon was when he was told everything was more or less done, with only paperwork and signatures left. That is a quick turnaround by any standard, especially for a move involving Chelsea and one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The transfer was already moving at pace before the public announcement landed. Cucurella’s account suggests the decision had been made before the noise around it had time to build.

The defender said Mourinho told him he was really looking forward to working with him, that he would adapt very well and that Real Madrid was a great club. He also said the message was simple: do well in the World Cup, then meet in Madrid.

Why Cucurella says he did not hesitate

Cucurella’s own explanation is blunt. “There were different options, but when the offer from Real Madrid came along, I didn't hesitate,” he told goal.com. “I think it's a unique opportunity. Ultimately, playing for Real Madrid is an honour, and not many players can say that, so I had no doubts.”

There is still a football decision here, not just a sentimental one. Cucurella also said Real Madrid are the team with the most Champions League titles in the world, which helps explain why he frames the move as something bigger than a routine switch.

His recent numbers fit the backdrop. He had 5 recent Chelsea club appearances analysed before the move, and he arrived in the Spain camp with a 7.2 rating across 94 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.

The point is not that Mourinho forced the deal or that Madrid alone made it inevitable. It is that Cucurella is describing a transfer that moved fast, felt decisive and left him with little room for second thoughts.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →