Spain defender Marc Cucurella has reignited his tongue‐in‐cheek chant about Erling Haaland, belting it out in front of thousands of fans in Madrid as celebrations for the new world champions reached their peak.
The Chelsea full-back grabbed a microphone on the winners’ stage and, to a roar from the crowd, launched into the now‐familiar call‐and‐response: “Haaland is trembling!” – with supporters replying in unison: “Because Cucurella is coming!”
The moment, captured widely on social media, has again put the playful rivalry between Cucurella and the Manchester City striker in the spotlight – and triggered fresh headlines in Norway, Haaland’s homeland.
Chant returns after Euro 2024 triumph
Cucurella first performed an extended version of the chant in the aftermath of Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, where he played a key role in Luis de la Fuente’s side lifting the continental title.
Haaland’s response came swiftly on the pitch. Just a month after Spain’s European triumph, the Norway forward scored in the first club match in which the pair faced each other following the song’s debut.
Speaking then, Haaland appeared relaxed about the attention, saying: “Cucurella is a funny guy; last season he asked me for my shirt, and this summer he is singing a song about me… I really don’t care.”
His comments did little to dampen the chant’s popularity, which quickly spread among Spain fans and on football TikTok accounts across Europe.
‘It was a tribute’ – Cucurella’s explanation
After the initial viral surge, Cucurella moved to clarify the spirit behind the song, insisting it was never intended as an insult to the Manchester City star.
He stressed that the chant should be seen as a form of recognition of Haaland’s elite status rather than mockery.
Cucurella explained that devising a song around a player’s name was, in his view, “a tribute and praise” to the Norway international’s level and impact on the game. Such songs, he suggested, are reserved only for the very biggest names.
He argued that “you only compose a song about a player if he is a global star and truly unique,” adding that no one would bother to sing about “an unknown player”.
No regrets – and a promise kept
Far from backing away from the episode, Cucurella said at the time that he had no regrets and would be willing to perform the chant again.
He has now followed through on that promise during Spain’s World Cup homecoming events in Madrid, where the players were presented to supporters following their triumph on the global stage.
The defender’s decision to reprise the song in such a high‐profile setting underlines how the light‐hearted jibe has become part of his public persona – and a running joke in the wider football community.
Norwegian media seize on ‘Cucurella vs Haaland’ sequel
The latest rendition did not go unnoticed in Norway. Public broadcaster NRK gave the story prominent treatment on its main page, with a leading headline reading: “Cucurella sings about Haaland.. again”.
The continued coverage reflects the fascination in Norway with Haaland’s every mention abroad, particularly when it involves another established Premier League player.
For now, Haaland himself has not publicly reacted to the Madrid encore. But with both players set to return to club duties in England, and with their teams likely to meet again in domestic and European competitions, the personal subplot between one of the world’s most feared strikers and one of Spain’s most recognisable defenders seems certain to rumble on – both on and off the pitch.
