Marc Cucurella may be teammates with Lamine Yamal for Spain, but when Chelsea meet Barcelona next month, friendship will take a back seat — at least for 90 minutes.
The left-back delivered a playful warning to the Barcelona teenager ahead of their Champions League showdown, promising that he “won’t hold back” when the whistle blows at Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella and Yamal were part of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad, and both have carried that form into the new season.
Now, fate brings them face-to-face in one of the most anticipated Champions League fixtures of the year — Chelsea vs. Barcelona on November 25.
When asked if he’d go easy on his young international teammate, Cucurella couldn’t resist a joke.
“I won’t hold back there,” he laughed. “The good thing is that there’s still a long way to go before the World Cup. If I knock him out, he’ll have plenty of time to recover!”
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Cucurella reveals if he had any regrets leaving Barcelona
Cucurella, known for his tenacious defending and trademark curls, made it clear that camaraderie won’t affect his competitive edge.
“I like playing against people I don’t know, I feel more comfortable,” he added. “And I’m not one to write to opponents before games if they’re friends.”
The 27-year-old also reflected on his journey from La Masia to the Premier League. Despite coming through Barcelona’s famous academy, he has no regrets about leaving.
“I wouldn’t change my career for having stayed at Barca,” Cucurella said. “Maybe if I had stayed, I wouldn’t have had playing time or learned what I’ve learned.”
He credits his growth to experiences outside Spain, saying his unique style — not quite “made in La Masia” — helped him adapt to different football cultures.
As Chelsea prepare for a stern test against Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, Cucurella’s blend of humor and hunger gives fans a glimpse of the fiery spirit waiting to ignite under the Stamford Bridge lights.
Yamal might want to lace his boots tight — the tackles are coming fast and friendly.
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