Marc Cucurella Makes Debut for Real Madrid in Pre-Season Win

Marc Cucurella finally pulled on the Real Madrid shirt in anger, stepping off the bench in Germany as Los Blancos wrapped up their pre-season with a win over Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena.

It was only 29 minutes. It meant far more than that.

A long wait ends in Gelsenkirchen

The left-back, a new arrival this summer, was sent on in the 61st minute, tasked with seeing out a game Madrid were using as their final tune‑up before the League campaign begins. For him, it was the moment he had been waiting on for weeks.

The friendly carried the usual pre-season labels, but for Cucurella it doubled as a personal checkpoint: first minutes, first touches, first sprints in white. After the final whistle, the relief and joy were obvious.

"I am very happy," he told Realmadrid TV, still riding the adrenaline of his debut. "I think it was a great match for everyone and a great result before starting the League. These were my first minutes, and I’m very eager. The wait was long, but now, little by little, I’m getting into rhythm and looking forward to starting the League."

The significance for the Spaniard lies not in the opposition or the venue, but in the journey that brought him there. Years of work condensed into half an hour on a German night.

Finding rhythm, finding his place

Cucurella knows these are only the first steps. Match sharpness comes slowly, and he made that point himself.

"Very good. I think with these teammates, everything is easier," he said. "These were the first minutes of the season, and little by little, I’m finding my rhythm, and soon the real competition begins."

The defender framed his debut as the payoff for a long grind rather than a sudden breakthrough.

"I am very happy. Behind all this, there is a lot of work, and all the effort I’ve put in over the years has been worth it. I’m very happy with everything that’s happening to me, and I hope it continues this way - winning titles and, above all, being able to enjoy this experience."

The message is clear: this isn’t a finish line. It is the start of a new race at a club where standards are unforgiving and expectations never dip.

Dressing-room glue and title talk

If Cucurella sounded relaxed, it is because he already feels the backing of the dressing room. For any newcomer, that support can decide how quickly they settle; he made a point of highlighting it.

"They are really good people. I think they make it very easy for everyone to adapt," he explained. "The important thing is to have a good group so that it shows on the field that we are united. That’s how you win."

The emphasis on unity fits perfectly with Madrid’s ambitions for the season. A tight squad, a clear objective: titles.

That theme ran through every one of his answers. The personal story is important, but it always circles back to collective success.

Answering the fans

Even before kicking a ball for Madrid, Cucurella had felt the weight and warmth of the club’s support. His phone has been busy.

"I’ve received many messages, and I will always try to give my best in every minute I have," he said. "I think the most important thing, and what we all want, is to win titles with this jersey."

The debut in Gelsenkirchen is now in the books. The real test comes next, when the League starts and those minutes are no longer pre-season experiments but part of a campaign measured only in trophies.