Many described him as one of the gems of the Real Madrid youth academy, with a promising future. But Marc Cucalón has had to face a tough situation feared by all footballers. The 19-year-old Aragonese had to hang up his boots due to a bacteria he contracted during a knee injury operation. Cucalón himself announced the news in a letter he posted on his social media.
"I didn't know how to start this letter. So I'll do it by saying THANK YOU to everyone. From the bottom of my heart. For all the support you have given me during this time. I arrived at the Real Madrid youth academy in the summer of 2016 as a child with a backpack full of dreams, and I have been very, very happy," wrote the Real Madrid midfielder in his letter.
The Madrid player tore his cruciate ligament on September 6, 2022, against Celtic, and that's where his ordeal began. The feared injury worsened after contracting a bacteria in the operating room during surgery. The bacteria affected the tendon of that joint, causing him a myriad of complications over two years that have led to his farewell to football.
"During these last two years, I have fought physically and mentally with all my strength and have tried everything in my power to return to enjoying this sport, but it has not been possible to recover. Although do not get me wrong: this is by no means a sad farewell," explains Cucalón in his letter.
"After all, I think I have been truly privileged to have been part of the best club in the world and to have lived a dream. I have learned and matured as a person and as a player. I will carry with me for the rest of my life the values that have been instilled in me, and of course, football has taught me in every triumph and every defeat: you always have to overcome and keep fighting to overcome obstacles. Those lessons will be part of my life forever," adds the former Zaragoza youth academy player.
Among all the reactions to Cucalón's retirement, it is worth mentioning Álvaro Arbeloa, coach of Real Madrid's Juvenil A team. "You don't know how many times that game comes to mind. It's hard for me not to think about the great player you were (already were going to be), but you always have to look forward. You know it better than anyone. You deserve the best, Marc. We will always be here for whatever you need," he wrote with evident sadness.