Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - One of Real Madrid's top youth talents has been forced to retire at the age of 19 after he failed to recover from a cruciate ligament injury caused by a tackle from an opponent.
A product of Real's famed La Fabrica academy, Marc Cucalon
rose up the ranks after joining the setup from Zaragoza in 2016.
The talented midfielder was later promoted into
the Real Madrid C squad, the highest non-professional team at the club.
He was playing just his fourth match in the UEFA Youth
League away at Celtic on September 6, 2022 when a challenge forced
him off the pitch with an injury.
But Cucalon's recovery from the torn cruciate ligament in
his right knee did not go to plan and he has now retired from the
sport, RMC Sport reports.
The youngster shared a heart-breaking message on Instagram
to confirm his decision to call time on his career.
He said: '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 throughout this time.
'I arrived at the Real Madrid youth team in the summer of
2016 as a child with a backpack full of dreams and I have been very, very
happy. And the truth is that my life changed completely on September 6, 2022,
when I was seriously injured in a match of the @uefayouthleague.
'After several complications, 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.
'During these last two years I have fought physically and
mentally with all my strength and I have tried everything in my power to enjoy
this sport again, but it has not been possible to recover. Although do not get
me wrong: this is not a sad farewell at all.
'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 take 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 victory and in every defeat: you always have to overcome and keep
fighting to overcome obstacles. Those lessons will be part of my life forever.
'It is time to look back and be grateful to all the people
who have been by my side on this journey.
Endless thanks to my family. Thanks to my parents, who have
always supported me in every decision and every obstacle in my path.
'It is true that leaving home to fulfill my dream was
difficult. But seeing their happy faces when they saw me enjoying myself on the
field became my greatest pride. Thanks also to my friends, the unconditional
ones who have never let me down.'
It was reported that an operation on the issue accidentally
resulted in bacteria entering his body and causing an infection in his knee,
damaging the cartilage of the joint.
Despite being in severe pain, Cucalon persisted with his
recovery, undergoing multiple treatments, but never recovered.
Former Real star Alvaro Arbeloa, coach of Juvenil A which is
the team below Real Madrid Castilla, said: 'You don't know how many times this
game comes to mind.
'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, we will always be
there for whatever you need.'
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