Key keywords: Marc Cucurella, Luis de la Fuente, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain national football team, World Cup winner tattoo, visible football player tattoo, Chelsea left-back, La Roja Chelsea and Spain left-back Marc Cucurella has made a viral, unretractable pledge to football fans worldwide that he will get a permanent tattoo of Spanish national team manager Luis de la Fuente’s face inked on a highly visible part of his body should La Roja claim the 2026 FIFA World Cup title in North America next year. The 26-year-old defender, who emerged as a core starter for de la Fuente’s squad during their dominant UEFA Euro 2024 championship run earlier this year, revealed the promise during a recent guest appearance on the popular Spanish football podcast El Chiringuito, alongside national teammates Aymeric Laporte and Mikel Oyarzabal. Cucurella explained that the tattoo bet grew out of a prior agreement with de la Fuente ahead of the Euros, where the veteran manager promised to dye his iconic silver-grey hair bright royal blue if Spain lifted the continental trophy. “Luis kept his word 100% after we won the Euros, we all saw him walking around with that neon blue hair for almost a month, even at official press events. It was ridiculous, but it showed exactly the kind of leader he is – he’s not afraid to be silly with the lads, he’s one of us as much as he’s our coach,” Cucurella told podcast hosts. “Now it’s my turn to put something on the line for the World Cup. If we bring the trophy back to Spain next year, I’m getting his face tattooed somewhere no one can miss it. No backing out, I’ve already had my go-to tattoo artist save me an appointment the week after the final, just in case.” When pressed to share potential locations for the tattoo, Cucurella ruled out more extreme placements like his face or neck, but confirmed he is considering spots including his dominant left forearm, his calf, or his upper bicep – all areas that are clearly visible during matches, press events, and public appearances. “The whole point is that everyone can see it. Luis took a chance on me when so many critics said I didn’t deserve a spot in the national team. He’s built a culture in this squad where we trust each other completely, we play for each other, not just for ourselves. If we reach the highest point in football together, a tattoo of his face is the smallest possible way I can honor that.” De la Fuente addressed the viral pledge in a national team press conference earlier this week, laughing off the idea and saying he hopes Cucurella has to follow through. “I think it’s a great joke, but I’m holding him to it. If we win the World Cup, I’ll go to the tattoo shop with him, I’ll even pick out the design myself to make sure it’s a good one.”