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Marc Cucurella has opened up about his thoughts the first time he encountered the notorious whistling from the Real Madrid faithful during the 2–1 Champions League victory against Inter Milan.
Despite collecting five wins from seven matches to open the 2026–27 campaign, Madrid have faced a rather turbulent beginning to their new chapter.
José Mourinho joined the club over the summer as their new head coach, with Cucurella being one of six first-team signings. However, painful losses to Real Betis and Atlético Madrid have undermined the club's ambitions of claiming a first La Liga crown since 2024, while Los Blancos have managed just a single clean sheet so far in 2026–27.
Simmering frustration has been evident from the Bernabéu faithful, with Vinícius Júnior among those on the receiving end of jeers and whistles on multiple occasions this season.
'Wake-Up Call'—Cucurella Plays Down Whistles
In conversation with El Larguero, Cucurella grinned when the subject of the Bernabéu's notoriously demanding standards came up.
"Honestly, I'm already used to it because I'm a player who gets whistled at quite a bit, so it's nothing new to me," he said with a laugh.
"But it's true that it still gets to me a little and I think 'wow, they whistle fast here.' I remember the match against Inter — they had just kicked off for the second half and around the second minute, I don't think we'd even touched the ball, we were in a defensive shape and the stadium was already whistling ... and I thought 'my God, we haven't even had a chance to touch the ball!'"
He added: "But, ultimately, this crowd has witnessed so many great players and unforgettable nights, and I understand it's a wake-up call in the sense that they're demanding more from us, knowing we have the quality and can deliver more.
"There's a positive side too. When the stadium gets behind you, it's incredible. I'm eager to experience one of those magical nights I've watched on TV — let's see if I get to live one myself."
Are Real Madrid Fans Spoilt?
Cucurella is merely the latest in a lengthy list of players to feel the sting of the Bernabéu's whistles.
The booing is far from a new phenomenon, though the crowd's patience has worn noticeably thinner over the past two seasons as the club has struggled to make its mark domestically and in Europe.
For most clubs, such hostility from supporters would be unthinkable given their standing. However, there is context to consider. As the world's biggest and — by numerous measures — most decorated soccer club, expectations at Real Madrid are sky-high, where simply winning is sometimes not enough; you must win convincingly.
The unrest at the Bernabéu has been further fueled by last season's off-pitch turmoil, which left a bitter feeling among many in the fanbase.
Certain players draw more criticism than others, with Vinícius Jr. becoming a prime target for the boo-boys this season due to his underwhelming form and a drawn-out contract dispute.
Addressing the crowd's whistling of the Brazilian during the win over Inter Milan, Mourinho told the press: "There is a proverb in Portugal: you only throw stones at trees that bear fruit."