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If you’ve been watching Spain’s run at the 2026 World Cup, you’ve probably noticed Marc Cucurella doing what he does best: flying down the left flank and making life difficult for opposing wingers. But behind the Spain star is someone who’s been with him long before the spotlight. That person is his longtime partner, Claudia Rodríguez. Let’s get to know the woman who has stood by Cucurella throughout his journey.

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Who is Marc Cucurella’s partner, Claudia Rodríguez?

Claudia Rodríguez was born on September 1, 1999, in Mataró, a coastal city about 25 kilometers northwest of Barcelona, where she spent most of her childhood.

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She and Marc Cucurella began dating in their early 20s, long before either of them entered the spotlight. Since then, they’ve been through every stage of the defender’s career, with their relationship remaining strong through each move and milestone.

Rodríguez has never hidden her support for Real Madrid. After Cucurella joined the club in 2026, she shared a childhood photo of herself wearing a Real Madrid jersey and wrote, “I’m bursting with happiness and pride. Let the adventure begin.” It marked a full-circle moment for the lifelong Madrid fan, especially considering Cucurella came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.

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What is Claudia Rodríguez’s profession?

Claudia Rodríguez has built a career across multiple fields. She has a background in communications, having completed her university studies, and has previously expressed interest in pursuing a master’s degree.

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Beyond that, Rodríguez is also a content creator and has developed a strong interest in fashion. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, she drew attention for her custom-designed matchday outfits created in collaboration with designer Carolina Castellote. Speaking about her style, Rodríguez said, “The way you dress already speaks for itself. At the end of the day, we all wear the same football shirt, and I like to take it to my territory and put my touch on it.”

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Through her social media, Rodríguez shares glimpses of her family life, travels, and fashion. She has also spoken openly about the sacrifices she has made to support Cucurella throughout his football career.

How did Marc Cucurella and Claudia Rodríguez meet?

This is one sweet love story straight out of a fairytale. Both Marc Cucurella and Claudia Rodríguez grew up near Barcelona, but it wasn’t until social media brought them together that their story began.

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According to La Vanguardia, while playing for Barcelona B, Cucurella came across Rodríguez on Instagram through a mutual friend and decided to message her. As Rodríguez later recalled, what caught her attention wasn’t that he was a footballer, but his sense of humor. The pair soon began dating in 2018 and have been inseparable ever since.

Neither of them could have imagined where life would take them. Cucurella was just beginning his journey toward Barcelona’s first team, while Rodríguez was a young woman from Mataró. Since then, she has stood by him through every chapter of his career, from spells at Eibar and Getafe to the Premier League with Brighton and Chelsea, and now his move to Real Madrid.

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Do Claudia Rodríguez and Marc Cucurella have children?

Yes, Marc and Claudia are parents to three children: Mateo (born 2019), Río (born 2021), and Bella (born 2023).

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What makes their family story especially meaningful is how open they’ve been about their eldest son Mateo’s autism diagnosis. In an interview with Madres: Desde el Corazón (Mothers: From the Heart), Rodríguez spoke about the early signs that prompted her to seek an autism diagnosis for Mateo. She also shared her hopes for his future as he continues to benefit from therapy and specialized education.

Cucurella opened up about the experience in the documentary Married to the Game, saying, “It has its negative side: everything takes more effort, everything is more difficult. But also its good side: when you achieve something, a simple step forward, it brings much more satisfaction.” Claudia has been equally vocal, saying she’s never hidden Mateo’s diagnosis and hopes their visibility can help other families.

As Cucurella’s career continues to evolve, Rodríguez remains by his side, with the couple focused on raising their three children and supporting one another through every chapter.

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Written by

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Yusha Rahman

289 Articles

Yusha Rahman is an Olympic Sports Writer at EssentiallySports with six years of writing experience and a keen eye for stories that go beyond wins and losses. With a PGDM in Journalism, she covers track and gymnastics with a focus on how sport intersects with culture and identity. From the symbolism in a floor routine to the legacy of U.S. track icons, Yusha looks for the moments where history, society, and performance meet.

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Snehal Dogra

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