Real Madrid’s start to the 2026/27 season has raised questions about the team’s consistency, but the emergence of Marc Cucurella as an important figure could provide the club with a major boost as the campaign develops.

The Spanish full-back has quickly become part of Real Madrid’s plans, featuring regularly during the opening weeks of the season. While his individual performances can be judged separately, his biggest contribution may ultimately be measured by whether he can help the club turn a difficult beginning into a successful campaign.

Real Madrid’s Difficult Opening

Real Madrid entered the new season with enormous expectations, as usual. However, their early La Liga results have not completely matched those expectations.

After seven league matches, Madrid have recorded five victories and two defeats. The two losses have attracted particular attention because of the standard expected at the Santiago Bernabéu.

One of those setbacks came in the Madrid derby, where Atlético Madrid defeated Real Madrid 2–1. The result highlighted some of the problems that have affected Madrid during the early part of the campaign and increased the pressure surrounding the team.

The club also finds itself six points behind Barcelona at this early stage. While there is still a long way to go in the league, dropping points early can create additional pressure because every subsequent defeat or draw becomes more significant.

However, it would be premature to consider the season lost. With the vast majority of the campaign still to be played, Madrid have plenty of opportunities to close the gap.

Where Cucurella Comes In

Marc Cucurella’s role could become increasingly important as Real Madrid attempt to improve.

The Spanish defender offers energy, defensive intensity and the ability to contribute in possession. His versatility can also give the coaching staff additional tactical options, particularly in matches where Madrid need greater width and attacking support from the full-back position.

Cucurella has already featured in all seven of Madrid’s league matches, suggesting that he is not simply being used as a squad player. His regular involvement indicates that the club sees him as an important component of the team.

That makes his form particularly relevant.

If Cucurella continues to perform at a high level, provides defensive stability and contributes to Madrid’s attacking play, his individual success could become closely connected to the team’s recovery.

Can One Player Change the Narrative?

Football rarely works that simply.

Even an outstanding season from Cucurella would not, by itself, erase concerns about Real Madrid’s performances. The club’s success will ultimately depend on the collective performance of the squad.

Madrid’s midfield, attack, defensive organization and ability to perform in major matches will all influence the outcome of the season.

Cucurella can help solve particular problems, but he cannot be expected to solve everything.

What he can do is become an important part of a turnaround.

A run of strong performances from the defender, combined with improved results from Madrid, would quickly change the conversation. Early-season struggles often become less important when a team finishes strongly and wins major trophies.

Trophies Will Matter Most

For a club such as Real Madrid, individual statistics and good performances are important, but trophies remain the ultimate measure of a successful season.

If Cucurella enjoys an excellent individual campaign while Madrid fail to challenge seriously for major silverware, the season will still be viewed through the lens of the team’s overall results.

The situation would be very different if Cucurella plays a major role in a successful campaign.

Imagine Madrid recovering from their difficult start, closing the gap in La Liga and mounting a serious Champions League challenge. If Cucurella is consistently involved in those performances, his first season would likely be remembered as an important success rather than simply a good individual campaign.

That is why the next few months will be crucial.

There Is Still Time for a Turnaround

Real Madrid’s rough start is significant, but it is not definitive.

The season is still in its early stages, and six points in September does not determine where the league table will finish. Injuries, fixture congestion, Champions League matches and changes in form can dramatically alter the picture over the course of a season.

Cucurella’s continued development and consistency could therefore be an important factor in Madrid’s response.

The key question is not whether Cucurella alone can erase Madrid’s difficult start. It is whether his performances can contribute to a broader team improvement.

If Madrid start producing consistent results, the early defeats will gradually become a footnote. If they continue dropping points, however, those early setbacks will remain a significant part of the story.

Final Verdict

Cucurella can certainly help Real Madrid move beyond their difficult opening, but his individual success cannot completely erase a poor team start.

For that to happen, Madrid need results.

If Cucurella performs consistently, stays healthy and becomes an influential player while Madrid challenge for major trophies, the narrative surrounding the season could change dramatically.

The good news for Real Madrid is that there is still plenty of time to write that story.

The early-season setbacks have created pressure, but they have not decided the campaign. The coming months will show whether Cucurella can become one of the players who helps turn Madrid’s difficult beginning into a successful season.