A ritual that preceded the triumph
Spain's defensive stalwart Marc Cucurella upheld a ritual that has endured for more than a decade, slipping a small coin into the soil moments before his side faced Argentina in the World Cup final.
Footage released by former teammate Joan Capdevila shows the defender kneeling on the pitch, the coin disappearing beneath the grass, a gesture the player has performed before every major tournament as a personal talisman.
The act seemed to coincide with a 1‑0 victory that saw Spain edge Argentina, a result that cemented a tournament in which Cucurella featured every minute and helped secure a collection of titles including the Euro 2024 crown.
Cucurella's journey to this moment has been marked by a series of high‑profile moves; after a successful spell at Chelsea where he captured the Conference League and the Club World Cup, he transferred to Real Madrid, a club that will now be immortalised on his skin.
In a tribute to the coach who guided the squad, Luis de la Fuente, the player announced he will soon ink a permanent portrait on his forearm, a permanent reminder of the partnership that culminated in the championship.