Pablo 'Gavi' Páez has kept his word and dyed his hair pink following Spain's victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Barcelona midfielder had promised the makeover if the Spanish national team won the title, as reported by Telecinco in August.
The 21-year-old player shared photos on his Instagram account, revealing his new pink hair. "A man of his word," Gavi wrote in the post. His national team teammates quickly reacted to the transformation. Lamine Yamal responded with emojis, while goalkeeper Unai Simón asked: "But what have you done?".
What did other players promise?
Gavi isn't the only Spanish international who has fulfilled a promise after the World Cup success. Marc Cucurella got a tattoo on his left arm of manager Luis de la Fuente holding the World Cup trophy. The left-back also surprised his followers by changing his characteristic curly hair for a style with numerous braids.
Manager Luis de la Fuente commented on Cucurella's tattoo, saying he "likes people who keep their word." Spain's July 19th victory against Argentina generated a series of personal commitments among the champions. You can meet all members of the champion squad on our squad page.
How was Spain's World Cup campaign?
The Spanish national team secured its second world title after a perfect campaign in North America. Luis de la Fuente's team won all seven matches they played, demonstrating defensive solidity and collective play that delighted fans. Spain kept a clean sheet in five of those games, a statistic that reflects the defensive unit's work.
In the group stage, Spain overcame Croatia, Japan and Costa Rica without conceding a single goal. In the round of 16 they beat Morocco 2-0, and in the quarter-finals they defeated Portugal 1-0. The semi-final against France ended 2-1 in favor of the Spaniards, who secured their place in the final. All tournament results and statistics are available in our stats section.
What does this gesture mean for the group?
The fulfillment of these promises reflects the unity and team spirit that characterized the Spanish national team throughout the 2026 World Cup. Beyond sporting results, these personal gestures show the players' emotional commitment to the common project.
Gavi, one of the team's leaders at 21 years old, had been a fundamental piece in midfield during the competition. His energy and technical quality were decisive in several key moments of the tournament. The midfielder accumulated over 500 minutes of play across the seven matches, demonstrating his importance to Luis de la Fuente's system.
The renewed confidence in the national project is consolidated with these gestures from the champions. Spain now prepares for the UEFA Euro 2028 qualification phase, where they will defend their status as world champions. The national team's upcoming official commitments can be checked on the fixtures calendar.
What comes next for the Spanish national team?
After World Cup success, the Spanish national team faces a new cycle with clear objectives. The Royal Spanish Football Federation has already confirmed that Luis de la Fuente will continue leading the project at least until Euro 2028. The Riojan manager faces the challenge of maintaining the team's competitiveness while progressively introducing young talents.
The international calendar resumes in September with Nations League matches. Spain will defend its continental title in two years, and the core of the world champion team will be fundamental for that objective. Players like Gavi, Yamal and Pedri represent the present and future of a national team that has regained its place among the world's elite. The squad maintains an average age of 26, combining experience and youth for the challenges ahead.
