Real Madrid's next Xabi Alonso retires at age 19

Promising Real Madrid talent Marc Cucalon, touted as one of the club’s best prospects, has been forced to hang up his boots following a serious injury.

The midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear (ACL) during a UEFA Youth League win against Celtic in September 2022 and has since struggled to retain fitness since due to rare complications.

A player who has suffered an ACL injury, despite its complications, can return to the top level of football but for Cucalon it was different.

However, during Cucalon’s surgery bacteria entered his body leading to a rare and painful infection that damaged the cartilage in his knee.

For two years he battled to overcome the major setback undergoing several treatments but he was unable to come out on top.

On social media he announced his decision to retire at just 19.

The post read: “I arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2016 as a kid with a backpack full of dreams and I was very, very happy.

“And the truth [is] that my life changed completely on 6 September 2022, when I was seriously injured. After several complications, that injury has forced me to make the tough decision to say goodbye to football, at least in the way I had always dreamed of.

“For these past two years I have struggled physically and mentally with all my might and I have tried everything in my power to enjoy this sport again, but it has not been possible to recover from it.”