At just 19, Marc Cucalon, a rising star from Real Madrid’s renowned La Fabrica academy, has retired from football. Cucalon joined Real Madrid’s youth system from Zaragoza in 2016, working his way up and making a name for himself as a talented midfielder in the club’s Real Madrid C team, their top non-professional squad.

The life-changing moment happened on September 6, 2022, when Cucalon was playing in a UEFA Youth League match against Celtic. During the game, a tackle led to a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee. Though he hoped to recover and get back on the field, his injury recovery took a troubling turn. A bacterial infection entered his knee after surgery, damaging the cartilage and making it impossible for him to continue with professional football.

After years of treatments and painful attempts to heal, Cucalon announced his retirement in a heartfelt message on Instagram. He expressed deep gratitude to his family, friends, and everyone in the Real Madrid community who supported him. Reflecting on his time at Real Madrid, he shared that joining the club was a dream come true. Though his career was cut short, he said he’ll carry the lessons he learned—especially resilience and determination—throughout his life.

Alvaro Arbeloa, former Real Madrid player and current coach of Juvenil A, expressed his sadness about Cucalon’s situation, saying he believes Cucalon had the potential for a bright future in football. Arbeloa reminded Cucalon to look forward, promising that he and the Real Madrid family would always support him.

Although Marc Cucalon’s journey ended far sooner than anyone expected, he is leaving with a grateful heart and memories that will last a lifetime.