LONDON – Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has sparked debate by selecting Sergio Busquets as the greatest Spanish footballer of all time. The 25-year-old, a Euro 2024 champion with La Roja, initially mentioned Andrés Iniesta when asked about the best player in Spanish football history, but ultimately settled on Busquets, a former teammate at both the national team and Barcelona.
Cucurella’s surprising choice comes as Busquets recently retired from international football after a stellar career that included a World Cup and two European Championship titles. The Chelsea left-back, who came through the Barcelona academy alongside Busquets, clearly holds the veteran midfielder in high regard. “Busquets was very showy, you know,” Cucurella explained, as reported by La Razón.
The selection is notable given the wealth of talent Spain has produced over the years, including legends like Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Raúl González, and Iker Casillas. Busquets, a defensive midfielder known for his exceptional passing range, tactical intelligence, and composure, spent the majority of his club career at Barcelona, winning numerous La Liga and Champions League titles. He recently played for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer before announcing his retirement.
Cucurella’s comments offer a glimpse into the respect Busquets commanded within the Spanish national team setup. Having shared a dressing room with him, Cucurella witnessed firsthand the qualities that made Busquets a pivotal figure for both club and country. The Chelsea player’s perspective carries weight, having been part of the Spanish squad that triumphed at Euro 2024.
Beyond his admiration for Busquets, Cucurella as well revealed a strong sense of rivalry, stating, “I hate my rivals.” He added that he couldn’t envision a friendly relationship with an opponent, highlighting the competitive spirit that drives him on the pitch. Despite this, he expressed admiration for Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese left-back, Nuno Mendes, singling out his power as a quality he’d like to emulate. “I’d like to ‘steal’ his power,” Cucurella said.
Looking back to his childhood heroes, Cucurella fondly remembered Ronaldinho, though he admitted to not having absorbed much from the Brazilian superstar’s playing style. “Whereas I don’t have much of him,” he conceded.
A Frustrated Move to Atlético Madrid
Cucurella’s career path hasn’t been without its near misses. In a recent interview with Movistar, he discussed a potential transfer to Atlético Madrid in 2021, whereas he was still playing for Getafe. “It’s true there were options to go to Atleti the same year I went to Brighton, but under different conditions,” Cucurella explained. “I’m a good player and they liked my profile, but I think those teams lacked a little confidence in me or in what I was capable of.”
The move to Atlético ultimately didn’t materialize, and Cucurella found himself attracting the attention of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. However, Brighton & Hove Albion’s high asking price proved to be a stumbling block. “City were dominating and were one of the best teams in the world. I really wanted to go, yes. When they come like they did, and when Guardiola asks for you, you go on your knees if necessary. But the clubs didn’t reach an agreement. Brighton had demands that were out of the market and it couldn’t happen,” he lamented.
Cucurella joined Chelsea in 2022 for a reported fee of €65.3 million, a testament to his growing reputation as one of the promising left-backs in European football. He has since become a key part of the Chelsea squad, contributing to their success in the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Cucurella’s journey from Barcelona’s youth academy to the Premier League showcases his resilience and determination. His recent comments not only highlight his respect for a fellow Spanish legend but also offer a fascinating insight into the mindset of a modern footballer competing at the highest level. As he continues to develop at Chelsea, fans will be eager to see how his career unfolds and whether he can reach the same heights as the player he now considers Spain’s greatest.
Chelsea will next be in action on March 26th against Burnley in a Premier League fixture at Turf Moor (3:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST). Cucurella will be hoping to feature and continue to build on his impressive performances for the Blues.
What do you think? Is Sergio Busquets truly Spain’s greatest ever footballer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
