Spain international Marc Cucurella has fulfilled one of the most memorable promises of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by tattooing the face of national team coach Luis de la Fuente on his arm.
The defender made the unusual pledge before the tournament, declaring that he would permanently ink the manager’s image on his body if Spain lifted football’s biggest trophy. After La Roja defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final, the attention quickly shifted from the celebrations to whether Cucurella would honour his word.
The Spanish star has now answered that question in dramatic fashion.
Photos and videos shared online captured Cucurella undergoing the tattooing process before proudly revealing the finished artwork. The detailed design features De la Fuente holding the World Cup trophy, with the tournament’s symbol appearing in the background—a permanent reminder of Spain’s historic triumph.
The work was completed by renowned tattoo artist Ganga, who has previously worked with several leading figures from the worlds of sports and entertainment. Cucurella had earlier indicated that the tattoo would be relatively small but positioned where people could clearly see and recognise it.
De la Fuente had responded humorously to the promise after the final, insisting that commitments should be respected while joking that he was not too unattractive to appear on his player’s skin.
Cucurella’s decision has attracted widespread reactions from football supporters. Many praised him for keeping his word, while others described the tattoo as one of the most unusual celebrations ever witnessed after a World Cup victory.
The tribute also highlights the strong relationship between the coach and the squad that restored Spain to the summit of world football. De la Fuente guided La Roja to their second men’s World Cup title, adding another unforgettable achievement to the country’s football history.
For Cucurella, the celebration will never fade. Long after the medals, parades and fireworks have ended, the face of the man who led Spain to glory will remain permanently etched on his arm.
