‘Trophythin’, LEGO trophy and red-card debate put Cucurella in spotlight

Spain defender Marc Cucurella has emerged as one of the most talked-about figures following Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph, with a viral plastic bag incident, a special LEGO trophy and a refereeing controversy dominating post-final discussions.

A video circulating on social media showed Cucurella leaving the stadium carrying a white plastic bag containing what appeared to be the World Cup trophy. The footage quickly sparked online reactions, with many joking that the trophy had gone from a luxury Louis Vuitton case to an ordinary plastic shopping bag.

Later, multiple reports suggested that the object inside the bag was not the official FIFA World Cup Trophy but a LEGO-built replica. Fans also pointed out that the real trophy weighs more than six kilograms, making it unlikely to be carried in such a thin plastic bag. The bag has since been nicknamed "Trophythin" on social media.

Following Spain's title victory, the LEGO Group unveiled a limited FIFA World Cup Official Trophy – Champions Edition, available exclusively in Spain. The 2,845-piece collector's set includes a miniature victory podium, a small World Cup trophy and a commemorative tile recognising Spain as the 2026 champions. The set is priced at €199.99 and will begin shipping on October 1.

Before the World Cup final, Cucurella had also promised to tattoo the face of Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on his body if Spain won the title. The coach later joked that he was too old for tattoos but hoped his players would honour their promises.

Cucurella also became the subject of controversy during the final against Argentina. After Enzo Fernández was sent off following a second yellow card, Lionel Messi appeared to complain to the referee, pointing toward Cucurella and alleging that he was speaking while covering his mouth.

However, football regulations do not automatically punish players for covering their mouths while speaking. Sanctions generally apply only if the action is used during heated confrontations or to conceal misconduct. Similar incidents involving other players during the tournament, including Jude Bellingham, resulted in no disciplinary action.
//DBITEC/DBD/SME//