Rare injury forces Real Madrid wonderkid called the ‘next Xabi Alonso’ to retire at 19

The young midfielder, who joined Real Madrid’s famed academy, La Fabrica, as a boy, had his career tragically cut short following a rare and severe knee injury. Cucalon made his retirement announcement on social media this Tuesday.

Dubbed “the Xabi Alonso of La Fabrica,” Cucalon was a promising talent, known for his composure and vision on the ball.

He joined Real Madrid in 2016 after beginning his football journey with Real Zaragoza.

Comparisons to Real Madrid legend Xabi Alonso had already started to circulate, marking him as a future star for the club.

However, his journey was derailed when he suffered an ACL injury during a UEFA Youth League match against Celtic in September 2022. The initial injury was severe, but it was further complicated by a rare infection that occurred during surgery, ultimately damaging the cartilage in his knee.

Reflecting on his career-ending injury, Cucalon shared: “I arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2016 as a kid with a backpack full of dreams, and I was very, very happy. My life changed completely on 6 September 2022, when I was seriously injured…that injury has forced me to make the tough decision to say goodbye to football, at least in the way I had always dreamed of.”

Despite undergoing multiple treatments in an attempt to return to the field, Cucalon’s condition showed little improvement.

“For these past two years, I have struggled physically and mentally with all my might and I have tried everything in my power to enjoy this sport again, but it has not been possible to recover from it,” he wrote, adding that his farewell was not one of sadness but gratitude for the privilege of representing “the best club in the world.”

Cucalon’s former coach at Real Madrid’s academy, Alvaro Arbeloa, posted a heartfelt message, highlighting the immense potential Cucalon showed.

“You don’t know how many times this game comes to mind,” Arbeloa wrote. “It’s hard for me not to think about the huge player you were going to be (and already were), but you always have to look to the future. You know it better than anyone, you deserve the best, Marc.”