Marc Cucurella once again became one of the most talked-about names of the 2026 World Cup, this time after a controversial disallowed goal for Spain against Austria sparked intense debate among fans and experts over the refereeing decision.
However, while social media debates that play, many have also remembered one of the most personal confessions the defender has made off the pitch.
Some time ago, Cucurella spoke openly about his son Mateo’s autism diagnosis and acknowledged that it has been the most difficult challenge he has faced as a father.
“No one teaches you how to be a father”, he confessed. As he explained, for a long time he and his wife did not understand why their son reacted differently from other children, until they received the diagnosis.
The footballer recalled that one of the most painful moments was seeing him suffer without knowing how to help him. Mateo cried constantly at school and the family felt powerless.
“What makes you suffer the most is not knowing how we can help him”, the Spaniard said, a phrase that moved thousands of parents living through similar situations.
Over time they found a specialized educational center and began receiving professional support. Since then, he says they have learned to understand their son much better and to value every small step forward as a huge family victory.
Today, as he is once again at the center of attention because of what happened with Spain at the World Cup, his words have resurfaced on social media, where many point out that behind the footballer competing at the highest level there is also a father who has faced one of the most difficult experiences of his life.
His testimony reopened the conversation about autism and the importance of understanding the process that thousands of families around the world go through.