Cucurella hopes his wife's pyjama top will be his lucky charm at World Cup

Cucurella’s World Cup superstition centers on a simple garment his wife wore during a European triumph. The Spain midfielder, 27, who plays for Chelsea, helped set up Mikel Oyarzabal’s late winner against England in Euro 2024. He credited a growing run of luck that included a disputed handball in extra time of the quarterfinal with Germany, a decision that spared Spain a penalty and helped seal a 119th‑minute victory. He says he carries his children’s key rings and has repacked his wife’s pyjama top for the World Cup, hoping to repeat Euro 2024 fortune. Spain open Group H against Cape Verde on Monday in Atlanta. Superstitions are not uncommon in football, with Lionel Messi famously wearing a red ribbon around his left ankle during the last two World Cups and Cristiano Ronaldo keeping an old coin from his grandfather. Cucurella told Marca in an interview published on Saturday that he treks with keepsakes and has repacked his wife’s pyjama top to travel again, hoping for the same luck as in the Euros. The piece frames these rituals within football’s broader culture, where luck sits beside preparation and tactical planning as teams chase World Cup glory.