Cucurella Delivers Cheeky Threat to Rising Star Yamal Before Epic Champions League Clash

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella playfully suggested he would risk international exile if he misbehaved when facing Lamine Yamal's Barcelona during the Champions League group stage this season.

Cucurella netted his maiden goal for Spain in a commanding 3-0 victory over Bulgaria that showcased Yamal's exceptional talent on Thursday. The young prodigy delivered another influential performance in Sofia, contributing to all three strikes as the European champions maintained their momentum in World Cup qualification.

With that match's result never really in question, focus turned to a fascinating Champions League encounter between Chelsea and Barcelona scheduled for November, which will see two Spain teammates face off against each other.

Cucurella, who would have overlapped with a younger Yamal during their time at Barcelona's youth system, praised his national teammate as "the most challenging winger to contain" in global football.

"He possesses incredible skill; you can never predict his next move," Cucurella admitted. "It will be a demanding encounter, but I'll attempt to make life as complicated as possible for him." Though not too complicated, apparently.

"I cannot harm him," Cucurella quipped with a smile, "because then I wouldn't be allowed back into the national squad."

While Chelsea's left-back won't be looking to rough up Yamal, he might consider employing an aggressive defensive strategy that has proven effective against other elite attackers previously. Cucurella has enjoyed notable success against Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in recent encounters by maintaining close proximity to the left-footed winger and attempting to make him "feel unsettled."

The 27-year-old also effectively neutralized Liverpool's Mohamed Salah toward the conclusion of last campaign, highlighting his enjoyment of such individual battles. "These matchups excite me," Cucurella noted last summer. "Competing against opponents of this caliber is enjoyable."

The Spanish goalscorer was inevitably asked about his choice for this year's Ballon d'Or. After discussing his personal aspirations earlier this week, Cucurella conceded that the award belongs to Yamal.

"I believe Lamine has enjoyed an outstanding year, he merits it," the fullback praised.

"Ultimately, if he doesn't claim it, it's irrelevant; he's extremely young, but considering his age, his achievements deserve recognition." What Yamal produces at Stamford Bridge in the coming months might not be fully welcomed by Cucurella.