Marc Cucurella says autism changed his life on and off the pitch
Spain defender Marc Cucurella says raising his eldest son Mateo, who has autism, has changed how he approaches family life and his football career. Speaking to El País during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the recently signed Real Madrid defender said access to specialized schools and therapy now shapes every transfer decision he weighs.
Key Takeaways
- Cucurella told El País that Mateo's autism diagnosis reshaped daily routines for his family alongside partner Claudia Rodriguez.
- Before any move, the Spain international checks whether a city offers autism-focused schools and therapy services.
- Early signs appeared in infancy; medical evaluations later confirmed the diagnosis after unfamiliar behaviors emerged.
- Mateo enjoys therapy sessions, and Cucurella says each child on the spectrum develops differently.
How Did Mateo's Autism Diagnosis Unfold?
Cucurella recalled that the first signs appeared when Mateo was still a baby. The family played music and watched him flap his hands, believing at first that he was simply dancing. As time passed, they noticed other behaviors and sought medical evaluations that eventually confirmed an autism diagnosis.
"The hardest part is that you don't know how you can help," Cucurella said, describing the uncertainty that accompanied those first months. He added that learning more about autism allowed the family to adapt its routines and focus on providing the support Mateo needed instead of comparing his development with that of other children.
Why Does Marc Cucurella Prioritize Schools Over Clubs?
That experience now influences decisions beyond home life. Before considering any transfer, Cucurella said he first checks whether the destination offers specialized schools and autism therapy services. Football remains his profession, but those family needs now weigh as heavily as sporting considerations.
The newly signed Real Madrid defender explained that the hardest part after the diagnosis was "not knowing how we could help," underscoring why those practical questions come first. His comments arrive as Spain competes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where elite football and family logistics often collide on the calendar.
What Has Life Looked Like for the Cucurella Family?
Cucurella said Mateo enjoys attending therapy and that those sessions have become part of the family's everyday routine. He also explained that every child with autism develops differently, making early assessment and specialized support especially valuable.
Away from football, Cucurella and his partner, Claudia Rodriguez, are raising three children, with Mateo as the eldest. Balancing elite football with family life requires organizing travel, therapy appointments and school schedules around an international playing calendar—a reality Cucurella says has changed him on and off the pitch.
For more on his remarks, see the full report in ColombiaOne, which cites his El País interview during the tournament.