Marc Cucurella issues savage response to Gary Neville over Euro 2024 jibe
- Cucurella dazzled for Spain as they won Euro 2024 this summer
- Chelsea left-back had been criticised by Gary Neville
- 25-year-old provided match-winning assist in final against England
By Tom Gott
Marc Cucurella has fired back at Gary Neville after the pundit suggested he would prevent Spain from winning Euro 2024.
Cucurella has struggled during his time at Chelsea and Neville suggested the left-back was likely to be a weak link for Spain at this summer's tournament and stop them from "going all the way", only for the 25-year-old to produce some of the best football of his career in Germany.
He started every game aside from the final group-stage clash and even provided the match-winning assist in the final to break England's hearts.
"We went all the way, Gary," Cucurella wrote on social media shortly after lifting the trophy. "Thanks for your support."
Shortly before the final, Cucurella discussed Neville's comments in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, in which he also promised to die his hair red if Spain went on to win the trophy.
"In England it is very common, but they have been players and having had those experiences, I don't think it is necessary to be disrespectful just to get views or for people to know him or continue to hear his name," Cucurella said. "These things happen.
"I think we have one last step left and hopefully we can lift that cup. Then it will be our turn to speak."
Cucurella joined Chelsea in the summer of 2022 in a deal worth an initial £56m, plus a further £7m in add-ons.
Across his 59 appearances for the club, Cucurella has struggled to live up to that price tag and he recently confessed to The Athletic that he started working with a psychologist to improve his confidence after some tough times at Chelsea.
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