Real Madrid left-back Marc Cucurella has announced his intention to retire from international football with Spain if “La Roja” manages to defeat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final.
The defender believes that holding both the UEFA Euro and the World Cup titles simultaneously would mark the perfect ending to his international career. In addition to his retirement plans, Cucurella made an extraordinary promise to honor his manager, Luis de la Fuente.
Achieving the Ultimate Football Dream
Speaking to the media, Cucurella expressed his readiness to step down at the pinnacle of his career:
“If we win the World Cup, I will call Luis (de la Fuente) the very next day and tell him not to count on me anymore, and that I am retiring from international football. After winning the Euros and the World Cup, there will be nothing better left to achieve.”
A Unique Tattoo Promise for Luis de la Fuente
In another interview with Fox Sports, Cucurella revealed an unconventional way he plans to celebrate a potential victory over the reigning champions:
“I will get a small tattoo of our national team manager Luis de la Fuente’s face on my bicep if we are crowned World Cup champions.”
Cucurella’s Rise Under De la Fuente
The 27-year-old full-back has earned 31 international caps for Spain since making his debut in 2021. However, it was under Luis de la Fuente’s tenure that he transformed into a pivotal pillar of the squad and established himself as one of the best left-backs in the world. His stellar performances prompted Real Madrid to shell out €50 million to sign him from Chelsea this summer.
