The gesture reportedly began as a dressing-room wager. If Spain lifted the trophy, Cucurella would tattoo De la Fuente’s face on his arm.
The design is said to show the coach in a suit, raising the World Cup. It is an extraordinary permanent reminder of a campaign that, according to the report, began with frustration before ending in glory.
Most football promises disappear with the final whistle. This one became part of Cucurella’s identity.
For De la Fuente, the tattoo represents more than a joke between player and manager. It is a striking sign of the trust built inside the national team, particularly from a player expected to handle the intensity of major tournaments.
The reported reactions captured the mood around the image. Mikel Merino replied “Histórico”, while tennis star Carlos Alcaraz described the tribute as “incrível”. Both comments underline how quickly a private football-room promise became a wider Spanish sporting moment.
Cucurella’s personality has always added colour to his performances, and this gesture fits a player comfortable embracing emotion as well as responsibility. A tattoo of a coach is unusual; one celebrating a World Cup makes it almost impossible to top.
The next challenge for Cucurella will be returning to the ordinary demands of club and international football. Trophies fade into the background once the next fixture arrives, but this image will remain with him long after the celebrations end.
When Spain next gathers, the tattoo is likely to be an immediate talking point - and a reminder that, sometimes, the most memorable football stories happen away from the pitch.