When you think of Marc Cucurella, the first thing that probably comes to mind is his unmistakable hairstyle—wild, curly, and impossible to miss.
But beyond the hair, there’s so much more to this Spaniard’s journey at Chelsea that fans might not fully appreciate.
From personal struggles to proving his worth on the pitch, Cucurella’s story is one of resilience and growth.
A Punctual Professional Who Avoids Trouble
Chelsea runs a strict fines system managed by the manager and team captains, where players get fined for things like being late to training or showing up late on match days—fines that can run into thousands of pounds.
But Cucurella? In his three years at the club, he’s never paid a single fine. Teammates describe him as the “first in, last out” type, bursting with energy and super diligent about his routines.
They also say he’s one of the most likable guys around and, at the risk of earning a new nickname, “always on time.”
That reliability has paid off on the pitch. After being coached by Enzo Maresca to join attacking plays more often, Cucurella has become Chelsea’s top-scoring defender this season.
His decisive header from Reece James’ cross recently secured a crucial 1-0 win over Manchester United, setting up an exciting Champions League showdown with Nottingham Forest.
The Hair That Tells a Story
Of course, no profile on Cucurella would be complete without talking about that iconic hairstyle.
It’s not just a fashion choice—there’s a sweet story behind it.
His mom, Patricia, asked him to grow his hair long so she could spot him easily from the stands when he was a youth player for Espanyol and later Barcelona.
Now, the style helps his three kids—Mateo, Rio, and Bella—recognize him during matches, which is pretty special.
After scoring seven goals this season, Cucurella’s signature penguin celebration is dedicated to his kids and his partner, Claudia Rodriguez.
The couple stars in the Amazon Prime show Married to the Game, where they’ve shared honestly about the challenges they’ve faced after moving to London following his £63 million transfer from Brighton in 2022.
Family Trials and Triumphs
Life off the pitch hasn’t always been easy. Their eldest son Mateo, now five, was diagnosed with autism, and finding the right school took time and patience.
Seeing Mateo make progress has been one of the greatest joys for the family.
They also endured a terrifying burglary at their home where around £62,000 worth of belongings were stolen.
Beyond the material loss, it shook their sense of security, especially for Claudia, who became afraid to sleep alone with the kids when Cucurella was away.
Since then, the family has beefed up their home security to feel safe again.
From Criticism to Cult Hero
The 2022-23 season was rocky for Cucurella. Chelsea fans even dubbed him “Sideshow Bob” because of his wild hair and inconsistent performances.
Things got trickier with a managerial change soon after his signing, and experiments like playing him as a third center back didn’t help.
Fans booed him, and a potential loan move to Manchester United fell through after financial disagreements.
But Cucurella didn’t give up. Under Mauricio Pochettino’s management, a tactical switch during a match at Aston Villa helped him shine by playing more centrally, sparking a comeback and a winning streak that qualified Chelsea for European football.
From Doubt to Glory with Spain and Chelsea
Just before the 2024 European Championship, pundit Gary Neville doubted Spain’s chances, partly blaming Cucurella.
But Spain went on to win, turning the criticism into celebration.
Memes popped up, jokes flew about his hair, but on returning to Chelsea, Cucurella transformed into a fierce competitor, known for his sharp tackling and knack for getting under opponents’ skin.
He’s especially close to fellow Spaniard Enzo Fernandez, with both bringing a bit of cheekiness and attitude to the Chelsea squad, which is the youngest in the Premier League.
Their friendly banter and spirit help keep the team competitive and never underestimating their rivals.
A Bright Future and Big Plans Ahead
After his game-winning goal against Manchester United last week, club co-owner Behdad Eghbali personally congratulated Cucurella.
The club values what he’s brought this season, especially as they aim to return to the Champions League next year.
Players like Moises Caicedo and Cucurella are in line for contract reviews and potential raises.
While fans at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground might boo him tomorrow, Chelsea supporters will surely be cheering, hoping their new cult hero can help secure another vital victory.