Cucurella hopes wife's pyjama top brings World Cup luck

Marc Cucurella, a Spanish midfielder for Chelsea, is bringing a unique good luck charm to the World Cup: his wife's pyjama top. He credits this item with bringing him fortune during Spain's Euro 2024 victory, where he assisted Mikel Oyarzabal's winning goal against England.

Cucurella, 27, believes the pyjama top played a role in his luck throughout Euro 2024. He recalled an instance in the quarter-final against Germany where a penalty was not awarded despite the ball hitting his hand in the box during extra time. Spain went on to score the decisive goal in the 119th minute.

"I’ve got some key-rings that my children made for me," Cucurella told Marca in a recent interview. "I’m also taking my wife’s pyjama top, which she wore when she was with me during the European Championship, and I’ve packed it in my suitcase again to see if it brings the same luck."

Lucky charms are a common sight among professional footballers. Argentina's Lionel Messi famously wears a red ribbon on his left ankle, while Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo carries an old coin given to him by his grandfather. Spain is set to begin their World Cup Group H campaign against Cape Verde on Monday in Atlanta.

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I’ve got some key-rings that my children made for me. I’m also taking my wife’s pyjama top, which she wore when she was with me during the European Championship, and I’ve packed it in my suitcase again to see if it brings the same luck.