Spain’s Marc Cucurella Sparks Debate After Carrying FIFA World Cup Trophy in a Plastic Bag
NEW YORK: Winning the FIFA World Cup is regarded as the greatest honour in football, especially in the tournament’s 96-year history. The 2026 edition, featuring a record 48 nations, made lifting the trophy even more prestigious. However, showing anything less than proper respect to the World Cup trophy is often considered embarrassing not only for the individual concerned but also for his country.
Something similar unfolded after Spain won the 23rd FIFA World Cup at New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. Spain became world champions once again, ending a 16-year wait since lifting their first title in 2010, and every Spanish player walked out of the stadium with immense pride.
However, Spain defender Marc Cucurella grabbed attention for an entirely different reason. While leaving the stadium, he was seen carrying his World Cup trophy inside a plastic shopping bag much like someone carrying groceries home. The unusual sight surprised football fans around the world.
Cucurella was walking out alongside his teammates with the plastic bag in his hand, and the trophy inside was clearly visible.
FIFA keeps the original 18-carat gold World Cup trophy estimated to be worth around ₹1 crore at its headquarters in Switzerland. The World Cup-winning nation receives a gold-plated replica that closely resembles the original and is later handed over to the country’s football federation.
In addition, every member of the World Cup-winning squad receives a specially made miniature replica of the trophy as a personal memento in the dressing room. Cucurella was carrying this smaller replica. Even so, many football fans felt such a valuable keepsake deserved greater respect. After videos of the incident surfaced online, social media users reacted with surprise, while many mocked the Spanish defender for carrying the trophy in a plastic bag.
Mitchell Marsh’s Trophy Controversy Still Fresh in Memory
Cricket fans continue to remember the controversy involving Australia’s Mitchell Marsh after the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. Following Australia’s victory over India, Marsh was photographed in the dressing room with both his feet resting on the World Cup trophy.
The image drew widespread criticism on social media, with many fans accusing the Australian all-rounder of showing disrespect to one of the sport’s most prestigious trophies. The incident remains one of the most debated trophy-related controversies in recent sporting history.