Cucurella says Mourinho wants Real Madrid to train like Cristiano Ronaldo

Marc Cucurella says Jose Mourinho has made Cristiano Ronaldo the benchmark for every Real Madrid player as the Portuguese manager begins his second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Catalan full-back has returned to Spain after five years in England, joining Real Madrid from Chelsea for 55m euros. Cucurella arrives after winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea and the World Cup with Spain, and is one of the most notable additions to a major rebuilding project that has also brought in Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomande.

Speaking exclusively to the club’s official channel, RMTV, after joining training at Valdebebas, the 27-year-old explained the standard Mourinho has set for the squad.

“He wants us to train like Cristiano Ronaldo trains, and he regards him as the reference point for what a Real Madrid player should be,” said Cucurella.

The defender added that Mourinho had quickly given him confidence and reassurance since his arrival.

“Mourinho instilled a lot of confidence and calmness in me. He told us on the pitch that we have to play to our strengths and enjoy ourselves, and do what we all want, which is to win and have a great season,” Cucurella said.

Mourinho’s focus on Ronaldo is unsurprising. The forward remains Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer and left an enduring mark on the club during his time in the Spanish capital. He is also Mourinho’s fellow Portuguese, while the manager views him as the ideal example of the professional mentality he wants to establish within a dressing room that has suffered from divisions after two seasons without a trophy.

Cucurella said representing Real Madrid was a source of immense pride and described his move as the reward for the work he had put into his career.

“It is a great honour. I don’t think many people can say they have worn this shirt. We have seen great legends here; it is the biggest club in Europe. Being here today is a reward for all the effort I have made throughout my career,” he said.

Real Madrid are preparing for their opening league fixture against Espanyol as they seek a strong start and hope to ease supporters’ disappointment after Rodri rejected a move to the club in favour of joining Barcelona.

Club president Florentino Perez has entrusted Mourinho with stopping Barcelona’s progress, using the same strategy the Portuguese employed a decade ago. The manager’s return is therefore being viewed as a decisive part of Real Madrid’s attempt to restore domestic dominance, with Ronaldo’s standards now being used as a model for a new-look squad.