Cucurella hears Bernabeu roar as Spain’s World Cup trophy makes Madrid appearance

Marc Cucurella received a memorable welcome from Real Madrid supporters as the World Cup trophy was presented at Santiago Bernabeu before the club’s La Liga meeting with Real Sociedad.

Cucurella was not named in the starting line-up selected by Jose Mourinho for the match, but his first appearance at the stadium as a Real Madrid player became a significant occasion for a different reason. The left-back was honoured by the crowd after helping Spain win the World Cup on 19 July in New Jersey.

According to Marca, the trophy was brought to Santiago Bernabeu as part of the tribute to Cucurella, who had officially joined Real Madrid only a few hours before Spain’s opening match in the tournament. Although he was still a Chelsea player when he was included in Spain’s squad, Real Madrid chose to recognise him as one of the national team’s world champions.

The World Cup trophy was placed on a raised platform on the pitch. After the opening draw had taken place, Cucurella’s name was announced to the stadium.

“Tonight, Santiago Bernabeu and the entire Real Madrid fanbase salute Real Madrid player and World Cup winner Marc Cucurella.”

The announcement was met by a loud ovation, with supporters repeatedly chanting “Cucurella, Cucurella” around the stadium. It was the first time the Bernabeu crowd had celebrated him in that way since his move to Real Madrid.

Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal was also recognised before the match. Oyarzabal was part of Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad and was given a warm reception by the home fans in appreciation of his role in securing the second star on the national team’s shirt.

The response grew even louder when Cucurella and Oyarzabal stood together for a commemorative photograph with the World Cup trophy. The image brought together two members of the Spain squad whose careers were linked by the country’s latest triumph.

For Cucurella, the ceremony marked a new stage in his relationship with Santiago Bernabeu. Before this occasion, he had played in front of the stadium’s supporters only once, during Spain’s friendly against Brazil in March 2024.

That match saw him come up against Vinicius, while also establishing himself at left-back for Spain. Cucurella has since been part of the side that won both the World Cup and the European Championship.

The pre-match presentation, shown in a video shared on social media, captured the reaction of the Bernabeu crowd as the trophy took centre stage. It also ensured Cucurella’s first major moment at the stadium as a Real Madrid player would be remembered not for his place in the starting line-up, but for the recognition given to him as a world champion.