Marc Cucurella’s Tattoo Promise After Spain’s World Cup Win

Marc Cucurella, the newly signed left‑back for Real Madrid, shone as one of Spain’s standout performers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His consistent displays at the back helped guide La Roja to the title, culminating in a decisive victory over Argentina in the final. After the trophy lift in New Jersey, Cucurella confirmed he will honor the bet he made before the tournament.

Honoring the Tattoo Bet

Cucurella had pledged that if Spain lifted the World Cup, he would get a tattoo of head coach Luis de la Fuente somewhere highly visible. Speaking after the celebrations, he laughed about the challenge of finding the right spot, joking that fans would give him ideas. “I don’t know, I have to think about where to get it. People will ask me, it has to be somewhere visible,” he said.

Cucurella was key to Spain’s World Cup triumph. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Emotional Reflections on the Journey

When asked about his feelings, Cucurella became emotional, recalling the hardships of his teenage years. He described moments when people doubted his abilities and the tough decisions he faced early in his career. “It’s not easy to get here. It’s tough during your teenage years; you have to make decisions,” he admitted, almost tearing up.

He also expressed gratitude to those who mentored him. “To all those people, I’d like to thank them for taking the time to give me their advice. Also to everyone who has helped me – we’ve both been stubborn. Today we’ve been rewarded for being here,” he added. The left‑back’s heartfelt words highlighted how far he has come.

Spain’s Dominance in the Tournament

Spain’s captain led the side to a controlling performance in the final against the defending champions. The team stayed focused, refusing to be drawn into any mind games, and ultimately deserved the victory. “We already knew what to expect. They tried to play their own style of football, with a lot of intensity. The team was fully focused, didn’t get drawn into a mind game, and we deserved the victory,” Cucurella noted.

He emphasized that the win was a showcase of Spanish football’s evolution. “It’s incredible. From the very first day we arrived, we tried to play our own style. We started off a bit slowly, but we kept improving and ended up playing some incredible football. We dominated France and Argentina and didn’t concede a single goal,” he said.

A Defensive Standard Set High

Spain finished the campaign having conceded only one goal, establishing a new defensive benchmark for a World Cup champion. The backline, including Cucurella, worked in unison with the front line, as illustrated by Oyarzabal’s pressing. “When you don’t concede, it’s much easier to win. We’ve all been doing an incredible job. Take the way Oyarzabal pressed, for example. It’s a team effort. We attack and defend together. That’s the key,” he explained.

World champion. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Praises for Rodri and Future Plans

Before heading to the airport, Cucurella took a moment to highlight Rodri, the Golden Ball winner who has been frequently linked with Real Madrid. “He’s very important; sometimes it’s not about scoring or providing assists. He controls everything, organises the team – when we press, when we attack… he’s very important,” he said. Cucurella praised Rodri’s ability to keep composure under pressure.

Looking ahead, Cucurella mentioned reuniting with Spanish fans. “We haven’t had much time. We’re looking forward to getting back to Spain, where there are lots of people who haven’t been able to come, and we’re keen to celebrate with all our fans. We’d like to thank them for their support; we’ve felt right at home,” he added.

Key Stats at a Glance

• Spain conceded only **one** goal throughout the tournament – the lowest for a World Cup champion.
• Marc Cucurella was named one of Spain’s standout performers and played a pivotal left‑back role.
• The final victory over Argentina secured Spain’s third World Cup title and validated Cucurella’s pre‑tournament tattoo promise.
• Rodri collected the Golden Ball, recognized as the tournament’s most influential player.

Cucurella’s dedication on and off the pitch has turned a personal bet into a memorable chapter of Spain’s World Cup saga, and Real Madrid fans will surely watch for that soon‑to‑appear tattoo of Luis de la Fuente.