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Marc Cucurella, who won the European Championship with Spain, is having a difficult time in England. He feels he has been treated unfairly.
London – Many German football fans still cringe when they hear his name: Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard and the handball in the European Championship quarter-finals against Germany was one of the biggest exciting topics of the sporting year 2024. The DFB-Eleven were ultimately eliminated, Spain became European champions – and On the way there, Cucurella was booed by the German audience every time he touched the ball.
German and English fans don’t speak particularly well of Marc Cucurella
Now it has to be fair to say: The fact that there was no hand penalty for Germany was not Cucurella’s fault – rather that of the referee Anthony Taylor. UEFA has now admitted the mistake.
But Cucurella doesn’t just have very few friends in Germany. Even in England people don’t necessarily speak well of the Spaniards. The Chelsea FC left-back even complained publicly about this. From his point of view, the reason is obvious: Spain won the European Championship final against the Three Lions 2-1, Cucurella provided the assist for Mikel Oyarzabal’s decisive goal (86th).
Marc Cucurella won the European Championship with Spain. © MIS / Imago
Marc Cucurella feels treated unfairly: “They attack me”
Cucurella feels he is treated harsher by opposing fans and referees in the Premier League. “I have already received five yellow cards even though I only committed a few fouls. They attack me a bit,” he told the Spanish media Cope.
The Chelsea star believes that English fans are projecting their frustration over their national team’s defeat in the European Championship final onto him. “It’s normal, they are hurt,” he added. It is doubtful whether he will smooth things over with these statements.
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Referees, fans and even opponents are not Cucurella fans
Cucurella doesn’t just have a hard time with referees and fans on the island. Even some opponents are surprised by the man with the curly hair. Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland said of him in August: “Well, Cucurella is a funny guy. Last season he asked me about my jersey and this summer he’s singing songs about me.”
The Norwegian is referring to a song that became a long-running hit during the European Championships. It says: “Cucu, Cucurella, he eats paella, Cucu, Cucurella he drinks Estrella, Haaland is shaking because Cucurella is coming.”
The tremors don’t seem to be really lasting. City played Chelsea twice in recent months, winning 4-2 and 2-0. Four-time goalscorer: Haaland. (mind)
