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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Cucurella responds to Neville criticism</li><li>Chelsea defender emerges as cult hero</li><li>Provides winning assist in final</li></ul>

Chelsea's Spain cult hero Marc Cucurella fires back at Gary Neville after going 'all the way' at Euro 2024 at England's expense

The Chelsea defender emerged as an <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/spain-marc-cucurella-make-bukayo-saka-uncomfortable-euro-2024-final-chelsea-team-mate-england-answer-lamine-yamal/blt01099bc5e91bb6ff" target="_blank">unlikely cult hero</a> for his country, making his first-ever competitive start for La Roja at the tournament and going on to provide <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-au/lists/spain-player-ratings-vs-england-euro-2024-nico-williams-mikel-oyarzabal/blt7813b5aa3697bc7e" target="_blank">the championship-winning assist for Mikel Oyarzabal in the final against England on Sunday</a>. In celebrating post match, he took the opportunity to fire back at Neville, who had criticised him at the beginning of Spain's run to lifting the trophy.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking before Spain's opening game at Euro 2024 on punditry duty for ITV, the former England defender said: "We didn't think he'd play. He's not been convincing at Chelsea. There's something just missing from Spain that makes you feel like they are [aren't] going to go all the way and I have to say, him being at left-back is another example of why we think that."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Cucurella had clearly kept receipts of Neville's comments, and having provided the match-winning assist in the final, he took to social media to repost the quotes and give a cheeky response, writing on Instagram: "We went all the way Gary. Thanks for your support." Neville was also tagged, alongside trophy and winking emojis.<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt015588fdbe9f1273/image%20(57).png?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt015588fdbe9f1273/image%20(57).png?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt015588fdbe9f1273/image%20(57).png?format=jpg" alt="Cucurella Instagram" data-source="Marc Cucurella Instagram" data-copyright="Marc Cucurella Instagram" data-portal-copyright="Marc Cucurella Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:blt015588fdbe9f1273;width:453;height:657"></picture>

WHAT CUCURELLA SAID

With his performances in Germany, Cucurella may just have made himself Spain's first-choice left-back for the foreseeable future despite his reputation for being unreliable at Chelsea. He did finish last season strongly and will hope to make a good start to the new campaign after a well-deserved rest. The European champions will be back in Nations League action in early September.

WHAT NEXT FOR SPAIN & CUCURELLA?

Chelsea's Spain cult hero Marc Cucurella fires back at Gary Neville after going 'all the way' at Euro 2024 at England's expense | Goal.com Singapore

Marc Cucurella has fired back at pundit Gary Neville after playing a key role in Spain winning Euro 2024 at England&apos;s expense.