Marc Cucurella spotted removing an object from his sock and burying it in the pitch seconds before the World Cup Final kicked off, with a former team-mate confirming exactly what it was and why he did it

Marc Cucurella of Sapin controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States — Joan Capdevila gave Spain some advice before the World Cup final involving a lucky coin (Image credit: Future)

How did Spain eventually overcome Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final? Was it tactics? Was it superior players? Or was it in fact down to a lucky object?

Well, that depends who you ask, but for 2010 World Cup winner Joan Capdevila, the object certainly played a part.

Capdevila, who was a part of the last Spain squad to win the World Cup, urged the 2026 cohort copy the ritual he performed 16 years ago prior to his successful final appearance, and he seems pretty convinced it did the trick.

Marc Cucurella copied Capdevila's ritual to help Spain win the tournament

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Marc Cucurella of Spain celebrates by kissing the World Cup Trophy after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) — Marc Cucurella copied Joan Capdevila's lucky ritual (Image credit: Getty Images)

In a post on X, Capdevila revealed that he had buried a coin pitch side before his final in 2010, and that he had urged Cucurella to do the same this time around.

He wrote: "Now I'll let you in on a little secret. Back in 2010, I buried a coin in the grass before the match started.

🤫 Y AHORA OS CUENTO UN SECRETO...⭐️ En 2010 enterré una moneda en el césped antes de comenzar el partido... Lo he contado millones de veces. Le pedí a @cucurella3 que hiciera lo mismo ayer... Marc, te quiero mucho. ¡ERES CAMPEÓN DEL MUNDO! pic.twitter.com/pPsSsf34FUJuly 20, 2026

"I’ve told that story a million times. I asked Cucurella to do the same thing yesterday... Marc, I love you so much. YOU’RE A WORLD CHAMPION!"

That post was accompanied by a video of the now Real Madrid full back walking to the side of the pitch and clearly burying something in the grass, presumably the coin that Capdevila instructed him to hide.

The win was a celebratory culmination of a tricky few days for Capdevila, who at first looked as if he wouldn't be able to attend the game.

The former defender's ESTA was denied, forcing him send messages to Donald Trump on X, saying: "I’ve just been told I can’t travel to the final with my kids because my ESTA was denied.

"I can't believe I'm not being allowed into the USA... and that I'll miss out on a moment like this with my kids - we love football so much. If anyone knows how to fix this, I would be eternally grateful."

Span's Joan Capdevila competes for the ball with Argentina's Carlos Tevez in a friendly in 2009. — Joan Capdevila played against Argentina during his time in the Spain squad (Image credit: Getty Images)

Fortunately he had his issues sorted and he was able to be there to see Cucurella bury a lucky coin before sealing Spain's second ever World Cup victory.

He later added: "How could it not have been worth it... I deserved to be here with my family, enjoying this moment, and justice was served.

"Thank you to everyone who pushed to make this possible; heartfelt thanks to you all."

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Ryan Gray is a freelance writer, covering mainly travel and occasionally sport. He previously spent two years as Sports Editor at the Watford Observer before turning his hand to travel writing, with his work appearing in various national UK publications. He has gone from providing matchday commentary for Blyth Spartans to covering FA Cup and Euros finals, as well as interviewing the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Alan Shearer and Glenn Hoddle, among other big names.