‘Didn’t you want to shave all your hair off?’: Spanish princess embarrasses Ferran Torres over bizarre World Cup promise

Spain’s Ferran Torres (7) kisses the trophy after the World Cup soccer final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Ferran Torres scored what will almost certainly be remembered as the most important goal of his career as his extra-time strike sealed Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina. But a few days later, the Barcelona forward found himself smiling for a completely different reason when Princess Leonor reminded him of the promise he made before the tournament.Spain’s World Cup-winning team received an official welcome from the Spanish royal family at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid after their triumphant return from North America, where Luis de la Fuente’s side beat defending champions Argentina through Torres’ 106th-minute decisive winner at the New York New Jersey Stadium.At the reception, King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía greeted each member of the team individually. While the occasion celebrated Spain’s historic triumph, one brief exchange between Princess Leonor and Torres quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the day after videos went viral on social media.

Princess Leonor remembers Torres’ World Cup promise

As Torres approached the royal family during the salute, Princess Leonor, dressed in a special Spain number 26 shirt in honor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, surprised the striker with an unexpected question, proving she had clearly been following the team’s journey closely enough to remember such a specific promise.After reading from his lips and later reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, the heir to the Spanish throne asked the Barcelona forward: “Didn’t you want to shave all your hair off?”Torres, who was slightly taken aback, immediately smiled and replied, “No, no!”The light-hearted exchange had Princess Leonor laughing and quickly became one of the most shared clips from the Spanish celebrations.According to Marcy, Leonora’s playful remark referred to a public promise Torres made before the World Cup when he vowed to shave off all his hair if Spain lifted the trophy.Although Torres has fulfilled the far more important part of that prediction by helping Spain become world champions, the dramatic montage is now unlikely to happen.

Spain’s Ferran Torres celebrates with the trophy after winning the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The winning goal capped an unforgettable tournament

Torres’ winning goal against Argentina ensured his name was permanently etched in Spanish football history.After a thrilling final that remained goalless throughout regulation time, Spain finally found a breakthrough in the 106th minute of extra time when Torres converted from close range to seal a 1-0 victory and give La Roja their second men’s World Cup title.The goal completed a dominant performance by Spain, who controlled possession throughout the match and prevented Lionel Messi’s Argentina from registering a single shot on target in normal time before lifting the trophy.

Spain’s Ferran Torres (7) celebrates scoring his first goal during the World Cup soccer final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

For Torres, it probably represented the defining moment of his professional career as he scored the goal that returned the World Cup to Spain 16 years after the country’s first triumph in South Africa.

Several Spanish stars still have their promises to fulfill

Although Torres appears to have backtracked on his promise, several of his Spanish team-mates are still expected to keep the unusual promises made before the tournament.According to reports, Marc Cucurella, Alex Baena, Borja Iglesias and Yeremy Pino have pledged to get head coach Luis de la Fuente’s face tattooed after Spain’s triumph.Teen sensation Lamine Yamal has pledged to grow a beard and mustache for three weeks and has also pledged to give away 100 pairs of headphones to fans through a fan raffle.Midfielders Gavi and Pedri are also expected to live up to their own stakes by dyeing their hair bold new colours.Whether each promise will ultimately be fulfilled remains to be seen, but Princess Leonor’s well-timed reminder has ensured that at least one of Spain’s World Cup bets is back in the limelight.