Marc Cucurella's untied hair hides an emotional promise to his autistic son

Marc Cucurella's flowing hair has become one of the most recognizable sights in world football, but for the Spain defender, it is far more than a signature look. As Spain prepares for another major final, the Real Madrid star continues a deeply personal matchday routine that helps his eldest son, Mateo, recognize him instantly on the pitch. Behind that simple decision lies a family story filled with difficult moments, resilience, and unconditional love.Marc Cucurella's hair carries a special meaning for his son with autismFans have often wondered why Cucurella never ties up his long curly hair, even during high-pressure matches. While it has become part of his football identity, the reason is much more emotional than many realize.According to reports, Cucurella has chosen to keep his hair loose because his eldest son, Mateo, who has autism, can easily spot and recognize him during games. It is a small gesture that means everything to his family and reflects the way football and fatherhood have become closely connected in his life.The touching detail has gained fresh attention as Cucurella continues to shine for Spain on the biggest stage. His consistent performances have helped Spain build one of the strongest defensive records of the tournament, conceding just one goal on their journey to the World Cup final.Away from football, however, the defender has faced challenges that no trophy could erase.Marc Cucurella and Claudia Rodriguez share emotional autism journeyCucurella and his longtime partner, Claudia Rodriguez, first noticed that Mateo was developing differently from other children. Looking for answers became an emotional process that tested the entire family.Speaking in an Amazon Prime documentary, Rodriguez recalled those painful months."Mateo was born four years ago," Rodriguez said. "We saw that some things were different with the other kids. We didn't find too much help from the school, and we had our worst months.""Every day we went together to drop Mateo off, I was pregnant with Rio as well. We would go back every day crying.""It's a lot of changes in the same week. It's difficult to be in other places, other timetables, other food, other plans, no school, no therapy, and it's hard for him."For Cucurella, accepting the diagnosis also meant learning alongside his son."Okay, your kid is autistic, but the parents are not ready with this. So, we need to learn a lot."Rodriguez later explained how Mateo has changed the way the family approaches everyday life."Yeah, probably Mateo teaches us a lot as well. You have to think about Mateo all the time."Or sometimes you want to do somethings, and we can't because it's not good for Mateo. The holidays are always difficult, so tomorrow, we will go back to London, and he will be fine."The couple, who met in 2018, are now parents to three children: Mateo, Rio, and Bella. Through every career move, including spells at Brighton and Chelsea before Cucurella's transfer to Real Madrid, Rodriguez has remained one of his biggest supporters.As Spain chases World Cup glory, Cucurella's performances continue to earn headlines. Yet the story behind his famous hairstyle offers a reminder that some of football's most meaningful moments happen far away from the stadium. For one father, leaving his hair untied is not about fashion or superstition. It is about making sure his son can always find him, no matter how big the stage becomes.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.