What amazing words from Mark Cucurella (27). The Spanish star announces his retirement from the national team – on one condition. He told the Spanish TV channel Movistar+ what it was.
The defender made it clear: “If I win the World Cup, I will leave the national team.” He and his team reached the finals VM 2026should be on Sunday (21:00/Current ticker on SPORT BILD.de) in the final against Argentina. Coach Luis de la Fuente’s team reached the final without defeat. They started their group with a 0:0 draw. Cape Verde. However, after that they won all the games. They are especially strong: they conceded only one goal during the tournament. Cucurella has been a starter in all seven matches so far. In fact, the defender was allowed to start 30 times out of the 31 games he played in his career. Now against Argentina?
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One thing is for sure: the resignation announcement is not the first statement Cucurella has made if he wins the title. A few weeks ago he said he would get his coach De La Fuente’s face tattooed if they won the World Cup. However, it is unclear where he wants to engrave this motif. They have already won the 2024 European Championship together.
If he really leaves the national team, he will still remain with the Spaniards. After playing in England for Brighton and Chelsea since 2021 and making 150 Premier League appearances, he joined Real Madrid this summer for a fee of €55 million. After the transfer, he said: “I’m very happy about this new stage. We did it in one day, now I can concentrate on the World Cup.” Now at least once again with Spain…