Spain international and footballer Marc Cucurella has spoken candidly about his family’s journey after revealing that his eldest son, Mateo, was diagnosed with autism.
The defender shared his experience during an interview with La Media Inglesa in 2025, describing the emotional and personal challenges he and his wife, Claudia Rodríguez, faced while trying to understand their son’s developmental needs.
Cucurella explained that when the family was living in Brighton, Mateo was still very young and doctors were unable to provide a clear diagnosis.
The uncertainty, he said, made it difficult for them to understand what their son was experiencing and how best to support him.
Reflecting on that period, the Spanish international said becoming the parent of a child with autism required him to see the world from his son’s perspective and adapt to his individual needs.
He acknowledged that raising an autistic child has brought challenges for the entire family, but also said the experience has taught them patience, understanding and unconditional love.
Marc Cucurella and his wife are parents to three children—Mateo, Rio, and Bella—and he noted that autism has influenced family life in many ways as they continue to support their eldest son.
Speaking about his son’s sickness, Cucurella said:
“At Brighton he was still very young. The doctors couldn’t tell us exactly what he had because he was still too young to receive a diagnosis.”
He added:
“Nobody teaches you how to be a parent. An autistic child doesn’t understand things in the same way as his siblings, so you have to learn to understand him.”
In one of his most recent appearances on Prime Sports Uk’s Married to the Game Season 2, with wife, Cucurella talked about his autistic child, expressing the most emotional times by stating how much he wishes for his son’s well-being.
He even explained the reason for his distinctive long hairstyle, claiming that his autistic son forced him to do so after expressing interest in it.
“I have a son with autism. I wish I had no money at all if it meant my son could be healthy. I keep my hair long because he likes it, so that if one day he forgets me, he can still recognise me by my hair.”
Who is Marc Cucurella Son Mateo?
Mateo is the first son of Real Madrid star Marc Cucurella. He is currently 6 years old born in 2020. Mateo was diagnosed with Level 1 of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when he was 3 years old.
What People Are Saying About Cucurella Son Autism
Meanwhile, Cucurella had a fantastic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign season with Spain, assisting Dela Fuente’s side in winning their second World Cup trophy in sixteen years in 2010.
His recent comments elicited more emotions, with many fans expressing their sincere support for the footballer, while others praised him for his honesty in raising awareness about autism and the daily issues faced by families caring for autistic children.
