Boris Becker joins Modric and Bilic's complaint against Cucurella
The former German tennis player Boris Becker, a six‑time Grand Slam winner, has joined the controversy surrounding Real Madrid's Marc Cucurella, aligning with Luka Modrić and Slaven Bilić after Ivan Perišić's dismissal in Spain's 2‑1 victory over Croatia in the Nations League. The photo is credited to Darko Bandic / Ap‑LaPresse Hasta.
Becker criticises Cucurella's conduct
Becker deemed the refereeing decision excessive and singled out Cucurella for his behaviour. On social media he wrote: “Again, Cucurella is the one causing the uproar… It was a light foul by Perišić, but never a red card. Cucurella always provoking these situations.” The comment shows that, for the former world number one of tennis, the full‑back constantly generates controversy.
The incident occurred when Ivan Perišić, already booked, received a second yellow card for a foul on Cucurella, which led to his dismissal and left Croatia with ten players. Spain won 2‑1 and the refereeing decision sparked protests from the Balkan side.
Becker's intervention is striking because it comes from outside the football world, showing how far the debate sparked by Perišić's second yellow has reached. His voice has taken the controversy beyond the pitch.
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Croatian reactions from Modrić and Bilić
Luka Modrić, Croatia's captain, showed his anger and admitted having exchanged words with Cucurella. He said: “What am I going to comment? Cucurella got up. I don’t even know what’s happening with the new VAR… If we had kept the same number of players, we surely wouldn’t have lost.” His comment reinforces the criticism of the Spanish full‑back.
Slaven Bilić, Croatia's coach, considered that Perišić's foul did not merit a second yellow and criticised Cucurella. “When you look at the VAR and see what Cucurella does, he goes in there, he’s clever,” he said. He added that the player's way of competing can generate rejection among his opponents.
Bilić also voiced his displeasure with other decisions, such as a possible offside in Spain’s second goal scored by Mikel Merino. Despite the defeat, he recalled his team’s reaction after having lost 0‑7 to England in their previous fixture. These observations broaden the controversy beyond the Cucurella incident.
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Thus, Cucurella’s performance has sparked reactions that transcend the match itself, moving from criticism by Croatian figures to the intervention of a tennis legend. His comments take the controversy out of football.