Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella performed a superstition ritual by burying an object in the grass before the World Cup final on July 20 [1].
The act connects the current Spanish squad to the team that won the tournament in 2010. By replicating a specific "cábala" or superstition, the team seeks to evoke the success of previous generations during the highest-stakes match of the tournament.
Cucurella buried a coin or amulet in the turf at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey [2], [3]. The ritual was originally performed by former Spanish defender Joan Capdevila during the 2010 World Cup. This repetition comes 16 years after Capdevila's original act [4].
Reports differ on whether the move was spontaneous or coordinated. Some accounts suggest Cucurella acted on his own initiative [4], while other reports indicate the former defender played a role in the decision. "Le pedí a Cucurella que hiciera lo mismo," Capdevila said in an interview with Huffington Post España [5].
There is also slight variation regarding the object used in the ritual. Some sources described the item as a coin [6], while others identified it as a general amulet [3]. Despite these differences, the intent remained the same: to secure good fortune for the national team.
The ritual has drawn attention from former players and media observers. A reporter for Biobío Chile said, "Lo ha hecho" [7]. The act reflects the deep-seated belief in superstition that often accompanies professional athletes during major championships.
“"Le pedí a Cucurella que hiciera lo mismo."”
The adoption of this ritual highlights the psychological importance of legacy and continuity within the Spanish national team. By bridging the gap between the 2010 championship era and the 2026 squad, the players are leveraging collective memory and superstition to manage the pressure of a World Cup final.
