Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella insists that the players are driven by the pursuit of glory rather than financial gain. With the Blues standing to earn a remarkable £97m jackpot if they secure victory in the Club World Cup against Paris Saint Germain at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday, the stakes are high. However, Cucurella emphasizes that the true motivation lies in becoming champions of the world and earning the prestigious commemorative gold badge to wear on their shirts.
Cucurella expressed, “I think this is more for the owners and sporting directors, but we know that if we win, we earn the badge on the T-shirt for a couple of years. This is a strong motivator for the team.
“It’s also significant as it’s the first time this competition has been held, so we can be the inaugural winners. There’s a lot that can inspire us and boost our confidence and energy. If we achieve this, it’s truly incredible because we’d be the first club to claim this title. I believe people will remember us for being the first to win this trophy.
“Every week when we wear the Chelsea shirt, we’ll have this badge on display, and I think all of us, along with our fans, will feel an immense pride in what we’re accomplishing. We have the experience to carry this distinction in matches for four years. It’s something we can flaunt to others, showing we are winners, and we can take pride in all the effort we’re putting in.
“From the outset, the team has recognized the importance of this being the first time we’re in this tournament and the significance of having the badge. When I take my shirt home with the badge, I can share that with my friends. It’s a great experience, and I hope we can achieve it.”
Cucurella also shared his experience in front of the television cameras after appearing in the Amazon show Married to the Game with his partner Claudia Rodriguez, where they talked about their son Mateo’s autism. This shed light on the personal aspects of his life while demonstrating that footballers face the same criticisms and challenges as anyone else.
The left-back noted, “It’s natural that sometimes people don’t fully understand. When you put yourself and your family in the spotlight, there can be criticism. Honestly, I’m quite happy because we were able to show that while we’re footballers, we lead normal lives and confront the same issues that everyone does. It was a positive experience, and I was pleasantly surprised by the reception.
“I wasn’t particularly nervous, but there’s always a concern that if things don’t go well, people might say, ‘He’s not focused on football; he’s busy with filming.’ But it turned out to be very enjoyable.
“The filming was more like an interview, and it was quite lengthy with the producers asking numerous questions. We felt comfortable, and it all flowed naturally.
“I think it was beneficial because, sure, I play for Chelsea and have won the Euros, but we also have challenges that many families face. It’s true that sometimes it’s tough to arrive at that understanding, especially since people often perceive us as having perfect lives. If we can help others through our experiences, that’s a wonderful thing.”
