Spain defender Marc Cucurella has fulfilled his pre-tournament promise by getting a detailed tattoo of national team coach Luis de la Fuente on his arm. The newly signed Real Madrid left-back unveiled the permanent tribute following La Roja’s historic FIFA World Cup 2026 victory, joining a wave of unique player celebrations.
When Spain lifted the World Cup trophy after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final, the celebrations immediately extended beyond the pitch and into the realm of bold personal wagers. Among the most talked-about commitments was a vow made by left-back Marc Cucurella, who promised to permanently ink Spain manager Luis de la Fuente onto his body if La Roja captured the global crown.
On Tuesday, Cucurella made good on that pledge. The defender visited renowned tattoo artist Joaquín Ganga, choosing an artist known for working with high-profile figures across sports and entertainment, including LeBron James, Drake, and Canelo Álvarez.
Inside Cucurella’s New Ink and the Tattoo Parlor Session
The newly signed Real Madrid defender—who joined the club from Chelsea for £52m in June—shared the finished artwork on social media alongside the caption "Promise kept," posted on July 28, 2026. The tattoo, inked on his left arm, depicts De la Fuente wearing a suit and holding the World Cup trophy in front of a number 26.
Photo: onefootball.com
While initial hints suggested a more subtle design, Cucurella ensured the portrait of his coach would be fully visible. Earlier speaking to ESPN after the final whistle, the left-back noted that people would ask him about it, making a prominent placement essential, stating: “I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet. I need to think about it, I need to think about where to get it. People will ask me about it too, so it has to be somewhere visible. But anyway, we’ve got a long journey ahead of us now. I hope people will give me some ideas. I’ll think it over and then it will be time to get it done.”
“Promise kept.”
Marc Cucurella, Spain defender
The tattoo drew immediate attention across the sports world. Spain teammate Mikel Merino called the gesture "Historic" on his Instagram post, while tennis star Carlos Alcaraz described the tribute as "awesome".
Luis De La Fuente’s Reaction to the World Cup Tribute
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was unsurprised by his player’s follow-through, noting that the squad’s commitment to their word reflects their character. Speaking at his post-match press conference, the manager joked about the permanent artwork.
🤯 Cucurella Kept His Promise and Tattooed Spain's Coach After Winning the World Cup! 🇪🇸🔥
“I’m not at the age to get tattoos. No, not any more. But they’ve made a mistake, they’re serious people so they’ll keep to their word. I’ve already told them, ‘Did you make a mistake?’ They did, but they’ll enjoy it. I’m not so terribly ugly that they need to put it somewhere where nobody can see it! But it makes me laugh and I’m proud that they keep their promises. Above all, if you say something, you have to stick to it, so I’m happy about that too.”
Photo: sportstar.thehindu.com
Luis de la Fuente, Spain manager
De la Fuente added that while he is not at the age to get tattoos himself, he appreciated the seriousness behind his players’ pledges. Earlier in the tournament, after Spain reached the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Austria in Inglewood, California—a match where Cucurella set up both of Mikel Oyarzabal’s goals—De la Fuente cautioned against getting carried away, insisting there was still plenty of room for improvement and warning that satisfaction can kill. Cucurella also famously carried his wife’s pyjama top with him as a lucky charm during the World Cup, and recently said he has his trademark long, curly hair so his child can easily keep track of him during matches. During Euro 2024 he already kept his word by dyeing his hair red.
More Squad Pledges Await Following La Roja’s Triumph
Cucurella is not the only Spanish international to embrace eccentric celebration promises after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final to clinch its second title. Prior to securing Spain’s second world title, several other squad members outlined their own commitments. Pedri and Dani Olmo promised to colour their hair, while Lamine Yamal vowed to grow a beard after Spain’s win. Whether those teammates follow Cucurella’s lead remains to be seen as the celebrations continue.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
