Spain’s World Cup-winning manager, Luis de la Fuente, has confirmed his expectation that defender Marc Cucurella will honour his pre-tournament pledge to get a tattoo of his face. Cucurella, who is set to join Real Madrid, had publicly vowed to immortalise his manager’s likeness on his body should La Roja lift the coveted trophy. Following a hard-fought victory over Argentina in a one-sided final, De la Fuente now anticipates the new ink will appear.
The decisive goal in the final came from Ferran Torres in extra time, securing Spain’s second World Cup crown. This triumph further solidifies a golden era for Spanish football, with the nation currently holding the men’s European Championship title and the Women's World Cup. The manager, who took the helm in 2022, has been instrumental in this resurgence, fostering a new generation of talent after years working within the nation’s youth development pathways.
De la Fuente, 65, responded to the tattoo promise with a chuckle, stating, “They made a mistake, but they are men of their word, and they will stick to their word — I am not too ugly, they will just need to find a part of their body which is not too visible.” He hinted that other players might have made similar promises. The manager emphasised the importance of keeping one's word, adding, “If you say something you need to stick to your word.”
The gesture of a player getting a tattoo of their coach is not entirely unprecedented in sport. Irish rugby player Mack Hansen famously received a tattoo of his coach, Andy Farrell, after Ireland secured the 2023 Six Nations title. De la Fuente, who was relatively unheralded before his senior national team appointment, has been credited with restoring Spain to a global footballing powerhouse.
Reflecting on the team's success, De la Fuente highlighted the importance of collective spirit over individual brilliance. “We’re where we want to be, we’re privileged to represent our country with a wonderful national team, with exceptional players,” he explained. “I believe the real success relies on having the right travel companions. The people with values and principles. The only merit we have is seeking out good people who put the collective good ahead of the individual.”