A REAL MADRID youngster has been forced to retire due to injury aged just 19.
Marc Cucalon joined the club in 2016 from Zaragova as a “child with a backpack full of dreams”.
He rose through the ranks at Real Madrid’s La Fabrica academy, featuring for the C team.
The midfielder earned comparisons to Los Blancos great Xabi Alonso and featured for Real Madrid in the Uefa Youth League.
But it was in his fourth appearance in that competition that his career changed, as he tore his ACL in a challenge with an opposing Celtic player.
That happened in September 2022 but Cucalon has been unable to recover so has announced his decision to retire.
He wrote in a statement: “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.
Cucalon underwent surgery following his injury but it did not go to plan, with bacteria entering his body and causing an infection which affected the cartilage in his knee.
The youngster persisted and underwent various treatments but was unable to make a full recovery.
Despite that he is still in high spirits as he starts a new journey.
He continued: “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.”
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