Marc Cucurella was one of Spain's most consistent performers as La Roja lifted the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday night by beating Argentina 1-0.
With this, the Real Madrid full-back has etched his name into football history after becoming the first player ever to win both the FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup.
Only two players in the World Cup final had the opportunity to accomplish this unprecedented double: Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez.
Both were members of the Chelsea squad that won the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup last summer in the USA.
However, with Spain overcoming Argentina in the final, Cucurella became the only player to complete the unique double.
Football has previously seen players win both the FIFA World Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, but that achievement is considered separate from the new FIFA Club World Cup format introduced last year.
Pele was the first to accomplish that earlier double in 1962 after winning both the World Cup with Brazil and the Intercontinental Cup with Santos.
While the Intercontinental Cup remains part of football history, it is a different competition from FIFA's new global club tournament.
Because of that distinction, Cucurella now stands alone as the only footballer to have won both the modern FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup.
Achieving either title is a career-defining accomplishment for most players.
World champion at club and international level. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Cucurella managed to secure both within the space of a single year, cementing his place in football history with a feat no other player has yet matched.
"It's not easy to get here. It's tough during your teenage years; you have to make decisions. Sometimes there are people who tell you you're not good enough and that you won't make it," Cucurella said after the game.
"To all those people, I'd like to thank them for taking the time to give me their advice. Also to everyone who has helped me – we've both been stubborn. Today we've been rewarded for being here. It hasn't been an easy summer for us, so we're really happy."
Real Madrid signed Cucurella from Chelsea for a total fee of €60 million. The deal includes a €55 million initial payment with €5 million (£4.3 million) in add-ons.He has signed a six-year contract with Los Blancos running until the summer of 2031.
Having enjoyed a successful tournament during which he impressed greatly, Cucurella will enjoy a three-week break before joining Real Madrid for the new season.
