Spain defender Marc Cucurella keeps his hair untied so his autistic son can recognise him on the pitch

Why Marc Cucurella keeps his hair untied: An emotional story about his autistic son

Marc Cucurella stood at the pinnacle of world football when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute at New York New Jersey Stadium. It was Spain's second World Cup title in their history, and for Cucurella, the achievement marked the culmination of an extraordinary personal and professional journey.

Behind the celebrations and the distinctive sight of his long, curly hair flowing on the pitch lies a deeply emotional story. The Real Madrid defender keeps his hair untied for a profound reason: it helps his autistic son, Mateo, recognise him during matches.

The detail reflects how closely intertwined Cucurella's football career has become with his role as a father, with even seemingly minor styling decisions influenced by his son's needs.

An emotional revelation

Speaking on La Media Inglesa and in the documentary Married to the Game, Cucurella broke down in tears while discussing his family's journey raising Mateo.

"When we talk about Mateo..."

he began before becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

The 27-year-old defender explained that parents often find themselves unprepared for the challenges that follow an autism diagnosis.

"Okay, your child is autistic. But the parents are not prepared for this. We had to learn everything from scratch,"

he said.

According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, with boys diagnosed about four times more often than girls. For Cucurella and his partner Claudia Rodriguez, the diagnosis marked the beginning of a learning process that would transform every aspect of their lives.

Difficult school experiences

One of the most challenging experiences for the family has been watching Mateo struggle in environments they cannot easily control. When Mateo attended a mainstream school, he would often return home in tears. On some occasions, the family had to collect him after just a few hours.

Rodriguez recalled how emotionally difficult those moments were for both parents.

"We would take Mateo to school in the morning and sometimes return home in tears ourselves after seeing how distressed he was,"

she said.

The family received limited support following Mateo's diagnosis, leaving them to learn about autism and understand their son's needs largely on their own. Over time, they have had to carefully consider how changes in location, routines, schedules, food, schooling and therapy could affect Mateo.

"The family considers how every decision might affect their son,"

Rodriguez explained.

"While we may sometimes want to take part in certain activities, we choose to avoid them if we believe the experience could be overwhelming or unsuitable for Mateo."

Impact on career decisions

These considerations extend far beyond daily routines. Travel presents particular challenges because holidays often involve several changes to Mateo's routine at once. Maintaining familiar surroundings and stability helps him feel more comfortable.

The family's needs have even influenced Cucurella's professional career. Speaking to Radioestadio Noche, the defender revealed that whenever another club shows interest in signing him, the family first checks whether the area has suitable schools and access to therapy services for Mateo.

That approach was tested when Cucurella transferred from Chelsea to Real Madrid in June 2026 for £47.5 million plus £4.3 million in add-ons, signing a six-year contract just weeks before the World Cup began. The defender had originally joined Chelsea from Brighton in August 2022 for £63 million, making 163 appearances and winning the UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup during his time in London.

"My family's well-being comes first,"

Cucurella stressed.

"If my family is doing well, I can also give my best on the field."

Excellence on the pitch

That philosophy appears to have served him well. At the 2026 World Cup, the historic 23rd edition of the tournament and the first to feature 48 teams across three host countries—Canada, Mexico and the United States—Cucurella was one of only three Spanish players to play every single minute. Alongside goalkeeper Unai Simón and defender Pau Cubarsí, he completed 750 minutes across eight matches, providing two assists and contributing to seven clean sheets.

His performances earned him selection in FIFA's 2026 World Cup Best XI, chosen by fans, recognised as one of the standout defenders of the tournament. Spain's victory also extended their unbeaten run in regular time to 38 matches, having not lost since March 22, 2024—the longest unbeaten sequence in the nation's history and a European record.

A different perspective

Cucurella and Rodriguez, who are also parents to Rio and Bella, say Mateo has brought immense happiness into their lives and helped them see the world differently.

"Even a small step forward brings more joy than anything else,"

Cucurella said.

"I think kids like Mateo are amazing. He's definitely changed our lives, brought us a lot of joy and allowed us to see the world differently."

By sharing his family's journey publicly, Cucurella hopes to offer encouragement and support to other parents raising autistic children. His openness about the challenges and rewards has resonated with families facing similar experiences, showing that even at the highest levels of professional sport, family comes first.