Former Real Madrid left back Marcelo was one of the biggest pillars of the club during the three peat era, and he was the best player in his position on the planet, forming an insane duo on the left flank with Cristiano Ronaldo, the greatest Madridista and player of all time.
Their chemistry was perfect and one of the most important reasons of why Real were so good in the Champions League, unbeatable in the biggest games with that axis. And Jose Mourinho seems to be intent on reviving that in 2026 with the signing of Marc Cucurella, whom he demanded that Florentino Perez sign at all costs to do the dirty work and support Vinicius Junior to the fullest.
Even though Cucurella came from the Barcelona academy and played for another rival of Madrid's in local side Getafe, he has come right into Real Madrid since Mourinho demanded his 60 million euro transfer from Chelsea, now the club of Xabi Alonso, and has been a full blown Madridista.
Marc Cucurella is a true Madridista
In his latest example of being a true man for Real Madrid, Marc Cucurella, a star left back himself, stated, via Madrid Xtra, that the greatest left back of all time is the club legend Marcelo himself. And it is a sentiment that is both simple and one wholeheartedly upon by Madridistas. It has even gotten to the point where others outside of Madrid have become more on this train of thought.
The other players people debate with Marcelo are Paolo Maldini, who also starred at center back with AC Milan, and another Real Madrid legend, Roberto Carlos. But while Maldini was an elite defender and Roberto Carlos was a crazy specimen of a footballer, Marcelo had that flair, creativity, and big game quality that was undeniable.
It will be probably impossible for Cucurella to put himself in the same breath as those players, but he has a World Cup to his name and was the left back of the tournament for the Spanish national team. But Cucurella can write his own legacy for Madrid under Jose Mourinho, seal himself as one of the best left backs in the world, and win Champions League titles for the first time in his career at the Royal White club. And while it may seem small, Cucu's respect for the legends of the Madrid past like Marcelo will help fuel him to success.
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