Marc Cucurella was spotted performing an unusual pre-match ritual ahead of Spain’s 2026 World Cup final against Argentina, and it now appears the behavior is part of a 16-year-old superstition passed down by one of Spain’s former World Cup winners.The Spanish team defeated Argentina 1-0 after overtime at the New Jersey Stadium in New York and won the Men’s Football World Cup for the second time in history. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute.While much of the focus after the final was on Spain’s victory and Argentina’s late collapse, footage taken shortly before kick-off showed Cucurella quietly walking to the touchline, removing an object from his sock and burying it under the turf.
‘secret’ Lucky Coin Tradition
Initially, no one knew what the Spanish left-back was hiding in the grass.After the final, the mystery was revealed by former Spain defender Joan Capdevila, who revealed that the object was a coin and that he personally asked Cucurella to continue the superstition when Spain won the World Cup for the first time in 2010.Capdevila, who played at left-back when Spain defeated the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final in Johannesburg, explained that he buried a coin on the pitch before the game and encouraged Cucurella to repeat the ritual before facing Argentina.Capdevila wrote on“I asked @cucurella3 to do the same yesterday…“Mark, I love you so much. You are the world champion!”He also shared a video showing Cucurella carefully checking that no one was watching moments before kick-off before placing the coin into the turf and covering it with grass.
Spain’s lucky charm ends with another World Cup
Whether it’s coincidence or superstition, the ritual seems to be at work again.Spain controlled much of the final against defending champion Argentina before breaking through in overtime.Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, assisted by Nico Williams, to give Luis de la Fuente’s side a hard-earned 1-0 victory and help Spain win their second World Cup title, exactly 16 years after their first.Cucurella was once again a key figure throughout the tournament, adding to his international success after helping Spain win the European Championship two years ago.Argentina’s penalty hopes had already suffered a major blow when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time of normal time for a reckless charge on Paulo Cubasi. Things got heated after the final whistle and Leandro Paredes was sent off after an altercation between several Spanish players.
Capdevila’s own World Cup journey almost ended before it even began
The story takes on extra significance because Capdevila himself narrowly missed out on the final.Earlier this week, the 2010 World Cup winner revealed that his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application to enter the United States was denied, reportedly because he had previously attended an exhibition match in Iran.Capdevila made a public appeal to US President Donald Trump on social media, writing: “I need help @realDonaldTrump!”“They just told me I couldn’t go to the finals with my kids because my ESTA was rejected.“Can anyone help me with this? You have no idea how excited I am to be with all my 2010 teammates and cheering them on for this team.“I can’t believe they didn’t let me into the United States… I’m going to miss having moments like this with my kids because I love football so much.”According to ESPN, U.S. Customs and Border Protection later confirmed to the Associated Press that it had received a request regarding Capdevila’s case and subsequently approved his entry.The former Villarreal defender arrived in New Jersey in time for the final and watched Spain lift the World Cup from the stands.After the victory, he celebrated the victory in Spain and his successful journey, posting: “How unworthy it is… I deserve to enjoy this moment with my family and justice has been served. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, a heartfelt thank you to all of you.”For Capdevila, the coins buried under the grass brought good luck to Spain in 2010. Sixteen years later, Cucurella repeated the same quiet ritual before kick-off, and finally another World Cup trophy returned to Spain.
