Felipe VI visits Spain locker room after Uruguay win as Catalan player's '¡Viva España!' goes viral
King Felipe VI congratulated Spain's players in the Estadio Guadalajara locker room after their 0-1 win over Uruguay and asked to see them again on 19 July in New Jersey. The Catalan Marc Cucurella shouted '¡Viva España!' in front of the monarch, and the gesture exploded on social media.
The visit after the win
Spain sealed top spot in Group H with a narrow 0-1 victory over Uruguay at the Estadio Guadalajara on 27 June, watched from the stands by the king. After the final whistle, Felipe VI went down to the dressing room alongside RFEF president Rafael Louzán and spoke with every player and coach Luis de la Fuente.
What matters is it was a win and we finished first in the group, which is what we wanted. I hope to come back, because if I do it means you are in the final.
The monarch also commiserated over the injury to Yeremy Pino and told the squad they have the quality, desire and level to go far. Casa Real later posted photos of the encounter on social media, generating tens of thousands of likes within minutes.
The Catalan shout that set networks alight
One moment in the dressing room stood out: the defender Marc Cucurella, a Catalan who came through Barcelona’s La Masía academy and now plays for Real Madrid, shouted '¡Viva España!' in front of the king. Ferran Torres immediately replied, and the exchange of mutual support spread like wildfire online.
Many praised the good atmosphere and camaraderie in the group, while others on social media levelled criticism and insults at Cucurella, repeating allegations of betrayal he has faced since his move to the capital.
What comes next
Spain, as group winners, will play their round-of-32 tie on 2 July at 21:00 local time in Los Angeles against the runner-up from Group J, likely Austria or Algeria. Felipe VI told the players he will follow their progress closely, hoping to travel again for the final in New Jersey on 19 July.
During his stay in Mexico the king also held a bilateral meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace, a gesture that was read as a warming of relations between the two countries.
