Marc Cucurella honors Spain coach with World Cup tattoo after fulfilling tournament promise

MADRID, SPAIN - JULY 20: Marc Cucurella of Spain celebrate on stage during the FIFA World Cup 2026 parade on July 20, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. The final match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 was held at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey between Spain and Argentina. (Photo by Luciano Lima/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Marc Cucurella has fulfilled a promise he made before the 2026 FIFA World Cup by unveiling a tattoo honoring Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente following La Roja’s triumph in North America.

Spain captured its second World Cup title by defeating Argentina in the final, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. The victory added another major trophy to De la Fuente’s tenure after leading Spain to the European Championship in 2024, cementing one of the most successful eras in the national team’s history.

Before the tournament began, Cucurella had vowed to get a tattoo of De la Fuente if Spain lifted the World Cup. Now, the new Real Madrid defender has followed through on that pledge.

The 28-year-old shared the process on Instagram, revealing the completed artwork on his forearm. The tattoo depicts De la Fuente proudly holding the World Cup trophy, with the 2026 tournament logo featured in the background as a tribute to Spain’s historic achievement.

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The tattoo serves as a permanent reminder of a tournament in which Cucurella was one of Spain’s standout performers, playing an important role throughout their successful campaign.

The reveal comes shortly after the defender also published an emotional farewell message to Chelsea supporters following his transfer to Real Madrid.

Cucurella completed a £51 million move to the Santiago Bernabéu before the World Cup and will now begin the next chapter of his career under José Mourinho, who has returned for a second spell as Real Madrid manager.

In his goodbye message, the Spanish international reflected on his four years in west London and thanked everyone associated with Chelsea for helping shape his career.

“Hi Blues, after four seasons together, it’s time to say goodbye. I have had some time to reflect and remember what we have lived together.

“I arrived here as a young lad with the dream of winning many trophies and playing in the Champions League. We had a tough start, it’s true, but with hard work and effort we were able to turn it around.

“Thanks to this club and its high expectations today, I can honestly say that London will always be my home and you will always be part of my story.

“I won’t forget listening to my song at the stadium, the magical nights at the Bridge, the titles that I’ve won carrying this badge and all the love that you showed me.

“I now leave the club being a man. I’ve reached a lot of my dreams thanks to you and I want to thank you all for that.

“To the coaches and staff for all the advice that you gave me, to my teammates, for all that we have lived together and I won’t forget.

“To all the people working at Cobham for making me feel like I was at home from day one. I truly hope to see Chelsea up, where they belong and deserve to be. Once a Blue, always a Blue.”

Cucurella joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 and made 163 appearances for the club. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he helped the Blues win the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup before departing for Real Madrid.

With his Chelsea chapter now closed and his World Cup promise fulfilled, Cucurella’s focus will soon turn to preseason in Madrid, where he will begin preparations for the 2026-27 campaign as part of José Mourinho’s new-look squad.

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