Read for 2 minutes18 July 2026 04:20 PM IST
Spain footballer Marc Cuquerella has said he will retire from international football if he wins the World Cup on Sunday. The left-back also said he will get current manager Luis de la Fuente’s face tattooed on his bicep.
“If we win the World Cup, I will call Luis the next day and tell him not to believe me, that I am retiring from the national team. With the European Championship and the World Cup, I can’t do better,” said Cucurella.
“If we win the World Cup I’ll have a little tattoo of Spain manager Luis de la Fuente’s face on my bicep,” he added.
The Spain manager was his usual calm, entertaining self ahead of his former pupil Lionel Scaloni’s showpiece match against the holders on Friday, insisting his side will embrace the occasion rather than be swallowed up by its magnitude.
“I’m very nervous because we’re going to come back by helicopter,” de la Fuente told reporters with a smile. “We came by helicopter, and after the press conference we have to fly back, and that really worries me.
“Nothing else, though—I’m completely calm. We’re lucky to be in this situation, in this situation.”
European champions Spain, led by de la Fuente, are chasing their first World Cup since 2010 and face a Lionel Messi-led Argentina side seeking a second consecutive title once again.
Asked about the old line that nobody remembers the runner-up finish, de la Fuente pushed back, saying it was a privilege to be in a position to fight for the trophy.
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“The important thing for me is to be in a position to win, to reach the final,” he said. But there will be a chance to reach the finals and fight for the title.
“We are going to enjoy the moment using our strengths and our points, keeping our opponents – who are a really strong side – in check.”