At the 2026 World Cup, 28-year-old Spain national team left-back Marc Cucurella stood out on the field with his distinctive curly hair.

Cucurella stated he has kept his hair long since childhood. When he began playing football, his mother encouraged him to grow it out for easy recognition in crowds. He later decided to maintain the style for Mateo, his eldest son, who has autism. "He likes my long hair," Cucurella said. "If one day he forgets me, at least he can still recognize his dad by my hair."

Defender Cucurella and his son after a match at the 2026 World Cup. *Photo: Reduno*

Cucurella and his girlfriend Claudia have three children: Mateo, Rio, and Bella. Born in 2019, Mateo began showing unusual signs at 13 months old. Initially, the family mistook his clapping to music for dancing. However, they soon observed limited eye contact, delayed speech, and a lack of response when called. After surgery for middle ear inflammation failed to improve his language skills, Mateo was diagnosed with non-verbal autism.

In 2022, following Cucurella's transfer to Chelsea, the family enrolled Mateo in a mainstream school. However, due to insufficient support, he struggled to adapt. The family then decided to move him to a specialized school, where Mateo learned personal skills like toilet training and adjusting to daily routines.

The Cucurella family previously relocated from Brighton to London to secure the best therapeutic environment for their son. All of Cucurella's vacation plans and club transfer decisions centered on Mateo's educational needs. After joining Real Madrid in 6/2026, the entire family moved to Madrid.

Cucurella shared that Mateo's every small step of progress reshaped his perspective on life. He prioritizes his son's well-being over fame.

"I would give up everything I own if it could help my son be healthy," Cucurella stated.

Ngoc Ngan (According to Colombia One, Reduno)