"We’ll try to take the game to them"

Ahead of the much-anticipated UEFA Nations League final four, Marc Cucurella spoke to the media in a press conference where he expressed confidence and belief in the potential of the Spanish team ahead of the upcoming match against France. "They have very talented players, very quick and direct... But I think the match will depend on us, on how we play with the ball, on how we attack. We’ll try to take the game to them and if we have to suffer, we’ve shown we’re ready for that to."

🎙️ "Francia tiene jugadores con mucho nivel e individualidades. Nadie duda de que será una tarea difícil".

➡️ "Si circulamos rápido el balón y dominamos el partido como solemos hacer, tendremos parte del camino hecho".

🗣️ @cucurella3.#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/MdzUyxDsEF

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 3, 2025

The Catalan commented on the importance of another potential title: "No competition is minor, if we’re here, it’s to try to win. We’re not missing our holidays to go for a doddle. Winning is always a joy."

He was asked about one of the standout players of the moment, Lamine Yamal, and his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or: "Missing out on the Champions League final hurt his chances, but it had been a long time since I turned on the TV just to watch a player and enjoy it so much as a spectator. Also, the match against France is one of those games where he always shows up. Hopefully he’ll have a great day and we can win and qualify." What’s it like defending against him in training? Cucurella was clear: "A nightmare," he joked.

🎙️ "Defender a Lamine Yamal es una put*** (🤣)"

➡️ "Yo solo intento no lesionarle porque es realmente difícil de parar. Tiene unas habilidades y unos recursos que no se ven mucho en el fútbol de estos días".

🗣️ @cucurella3, defensa internacional.#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/lRtlUwLx0J

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 3, 2025

The defender’s season has been one of the best in his career, and Cucurella himself acknowledged it after reflecting on recent years: "Football is tough in the sense that one year everything goes your way and you’re at the top, and the next you struggle more. That happened to me — I had an injury and suffered, no one talked about me. With a lot of hard work, I turned the situation around. That’s why the most important thing is to enjoy the moment, and right now I’m in one of my best moments."

On his return to Germany, where the crowd loudly booed him due to the controversial handball in the box, the player warned: "I’m ready to be booed again. I didn’t do anything wrong, it wasn’t up to me. What happens off the pitch doesn’t affect me, and if the spotlight is on me, it might help my teammates feel less pressure. The first time it happens, it hits you, you don’t expect it, it’s hard to deal with every time you touch the ball. But it’s happened to me several times now and I’m ready. I’m mentally prepared for it to happen, and what I have to do is focus on what I can control."

To finish, Cucurella expressed the excitement and pride of wearing the national team shirt: "The calendar is tough, there have been lots of injuries. But that’s not up to us. Personally, I’m enjoying it a lot, and we all have to try to do our best. Coming away with the national team is something very special and you regret it when you’re not here. In matches like Thursday’s, tiredness doesn’t exist — we’re going to give it everything."