Cucurella, currently with the Spanish national team at the FIFA World Cup, sat down for an interview with AS. The Spanish defender discussed topics including his transfer to Real Madrid, advice from Florentino, his call with Mourinho, the national team atmosphere, becoming an El Clásico rival to Yamal, and rumors of Enzo joining Real Madrid. Below is the second half of the interview.

Read more: [Cucu: My call with Mourinho gave me a lot of confidence; Florentino told me I shouldn't put on a Real Madrid shirt yet]

Enzo Fernández congratulated you...

He did congratulate me (laughs), we're very good friends, very close. If the rumors about him possibly joining Real Madrid are true, as a friend, I wish him all the best, and if he wants to make that move, I'd be delighted for him. I don't know anything, we'll have to wait and see. Stay tuned for news!

Do the Barcelona players tease you often? Now you're bitter rivals!

Not really. We get along very well, we have a great squad. Anything good for any player, for their future, is welcomed. They've made a few typical jokes about me, saying that now we're rivals (laughs)... But it's fine, they're all very happy for me.

You've trained against Lamine Yamal, and surely you've given him some advice... Now you'll face him as a rival in El Clásico.

These things always happen, I have to wish him all the best. Players like him are very difficult to deal with, they always pull off unexpected tricks. I'll do my best, play a good match, and the most important thing is that my team wins.

Could you be a Yamal stopper? At Real Madrid, they'll ask you to do that...

Yes, football is a game, and for me, what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. I can argue with a teammate or have fierce competition, but still maintain good relations. Or if I'm playing against a friend, we can have dinner together after the match without any hard feelings. When we need to compete as opponents, I'll show my best side, protect my team and my teammates. And at the national team, we'll maintain our current relationship.

We have to ask you... Did you let your uncle support Real Madrid?

Yes, no problem. Everyone has their own opinion. I think he said that to... (pauses and smiles), not to become famous or as a joke, but he's a very important family member, and he's never missed any match I've played. He'll certainly continue supporting Barcelona, but if he watches Real Madrid matches, he'll wish me all the best. I think... he'll want us to win. As a family member, it's not easy to have a professional footballer in the family, a player who plays for Real Madrid and what that represents... It's a reason to be proud. As for those comments, there's nothing to it. He said what he said.

You said you were very scared the first time you trained with Messi. What would happen if you faced him now?

I'd give everything to stop him. That's what I have to do. I hope we can face Argentina, which would mean we've made it to the final. He's one of the best players right now, the standard he displays is remarkable. In short, we'll try to play well, make things difficult for him and prevent him from controlling the game. Then we'll win, and that's what we all want.

Oyarzabal told us to trust the national team, Gavi spoke to us about de la Fuente, and Olmo said it's time to win a second star. What kind of trophy do you want to give us?

Oh, that's setting the bar too high! My goodness, I don't know... Then just trust us, that's all. The years we've been through were very difficult, and as fans, you didn't feel the excitement like you do now. That passion seemed to fade, as if people weren't enjoying it anymore. We're reclaiming some of that feeling now. Since the Euros and until now, I see people increasingly supporting the national team more. Everyone's eager to support us. People are gathering to watch our matches, full of anticipation. Just keep trusting us. We're very eager to make history and do something important. It's a long process. Maybe we didn't start the way we wanted, but the team is highly motivated and confident, and we'll do everything to make our people proud.

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