Spain Awaits Confirmation on the Extent of Injury
The good news for Spain is a report from BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella, which said Cucurella is targeting a return in 3-4 weeks.
While his lack of medical credentials makes it hard to rely on that timeline, it is a very good sign that the highly anticipated MRI of his hamstring is scheduled. The original fear was that he might have sustained a Grad 3 tear, which would have kept him out of the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Hamstring Injury Could Linger
If Cucurella’s timeline is correct, it wouldn’t necessarily guarantee he’ll be ready for the summer.
Hamstring injuries don’t tend to go away; players return to the pitch once they can manage the discomfort. It can affect speed and agility, leading to a drop in production. While the tournament is still over three months away, the defender will be playing in high-stakes matches for Chelsea.
With no break between the end of the season and the World Cup, it's hard to imagine the hamstring injury won’t be an issue.
Grimaldo Could See More Time
If Cucurella is out or hampered by injury, Spain has fantastic options to help replace his production.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo would likely be the next man up for Spain. He made his debut with the national team during qualifying and recorded an assist. The 30-year-old would bring a more offensive-minded approach, having scored 5 goals this season for his club. However, there would be a noticeable drop in defense, forcing coach Luis de la Fuente to adjust his game plan before June’s kickoff.
