Marc Cucurella is causing a stir right before the World Cup final.
The Spanish left-back announced he would end his national team career should Spain be crowned World Champions on Sunday evening (from 9:00 PM in the LIVE ticker) against Argentina.
"If we win on Sunday, I'll get a tattoo of Luis de la Fuente's face, I promised that," Cucurella said in an interview with Spanish TV channel "Movistar+".
"After winning a European Championship and a World Cup, you can only retire"
But that's not all. The 27-year-old has an even more far-reaching plan.
"In addition, I will then retire from the national team. After winning a European Championship and a World Cup, you can only retire. I will tell him on Monday that he can no longer count on me if we win the World Cup."
Cucurella made his debut for the Spanish national team in June 2021. However, head coach Luis de la Fuente only made him a regular starter right before the 2024 European Championship – a decision that paid off. Spain won the European Championship title, and Cucurella has been a fixture on the left side of the defense ever since.
At the 2026 World Cup, the defender is also one of the undisputed key players for "La Roja". So far, he has played 31 international matches and scored one goal.
Austria also felt Cucurella's qualities
How important Cucurella has become for Spain was also evident in the round of 16 match against Austria. In the 3-0 victory against the ÖFB team, the left-back assisted both goals by Mikel Oyarzabal and thus played a decisive role in their advancement.
Whether Cucurella will actually follow through on his announcement will be decided on Sunday evening. If Spain wins the final against Argentina, the 27-year-old would end his national team career as a European and World Champion.
