Marc Cucurella says Noni Madueke made ‘strange’ mistake leaving Chelsea early for Arsenal – and reveals who has his Club World Cup medal

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has shared his honest thoughts on Noni Madueke’s surprise early exit from the Club World Cup, saying the winger might have missed out on a special moment with the team just to rush his move to Arsenal.

Madueke, 23, played a key role in helping Chelsea reach the final of the tournament in the USA, appearing in five of the six matches. But when the Blues went on to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final, the winger was nowhere to be seen — because he had already flown back to England to finalise a £52 million switch to Arsenal.

Speaking during a Q&A session with young players at his football academy in Spain, Cucurella admitted he was confused by Madueke’s decision to leave the squad just before the big moment.

“Yes, I think so,” Cucurella said when asked if the early departure was strange. “He wasn’t playing as a starter, but I think it was a good opportunity. Maybe everything going on around his future pushed him to leave early, but it wouldn’t have cost him anything to wait one more day.”

“He missed a pretty good opportunity,” the Spanish full-back added.

Madueke officially completed his move to Arsenal shortly after leaving the Chelsea camp. He signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2030.

The winger had been with Chelsea since January 2023, making 92 appearances and scoring 20 goals during his time at Stamford Bridge. He featured 63 times alongside Cucurella, building a solid connection on the pitch. But despite his efforts, he’ll now miss a major memory with his former teammates — lifting the Club World Cup trophy.

And in a hilarious twist, Cucurella joked that U.S. President Donald Trump, who presented the trophy during the celebrations, may have taken Madueke’s medal.

“He put it in his pocket,” Cucurella said with a laugh. “He has it there in the White House, very well placed.”

Trump’s surprise appearance at the trophy lift had already gone viral, as he awkwardly stood on stage clapping while Chelsea stars celebrated around him. His refusal to leave the stage became the talk of social media — and now Cucurella’s comments have only added to the comedy.

As for Madueke’s next steps, he has not joined Arsenal’s squad for their pre-season tour of Asia. Instead, he’s been given time off due to his involvement in the Club World Cup. He is expected to reunite with his new teammates in London, and could make his debut for the Gunners on August 6, in a home friendly against Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium.

While Madueke has already moved on to a new chapter in North London, it’s clear some at Chelsea believe he may have left behind an unforgettable experience.