Pau Cubarsí: Barcelona’s Latest Homegrown Gem at the Back
Pau Cubarsí Paredes was born on 22 January 2007 in Estanyol, a small town in Girona. A boy of 1.85 metres who is standing out in FC Barcelona. Cubarsí is a modern central defender, known for his leadership, good ball control and forcefulness in defensive actions. He began his formative years in football at FC Vilablareix and then moved to Girona FC, where he caught the attention of FC Barcelona scouts. He joined La Masia in 2018, at the age of 11, and quickly excelled, becoming the third youngest player to make his UEFA Youth League debut for Barça.
In terms of his style of play and tactics, Cubarsí is known to be a modern central defender, with an excellent ability to play the ball and lead the defence. He is described as a player with great leadership, decisiveness in defence and strong reactions off the ball, which allows him to contribute both in the defensive phase and in building play from the back. His ability to make risky passes and his intelligent handling of the ball allow him to maintain long and successful possessions. In addition, his training at La Masia has endowed him with a technique and comfort on the ball that is expected of any player trained at this prestigious training centre.
He has signed his first professional contract with FC Barcelona and has been included in the team’s pre-season squad for the 2023-24 season, demonstrating the confidence that the club and coach Xavi Hernández have in his potential. Pau Cubarsí has become an outstanding figure for FC Barcelona, especially after his recent MVP performance in the Champions League, after the match against Napoli this past 12 March 2024, being the nightmare of the Neapolitan attackers, especially Oshimen. With a talent that his teammates and coaches praise, Cubarsí has proven to be a defender with a promising future at the club.
Lamine Yamal doesn’t turn 17 until July, but he’s already emerged as a key figure in attack under Xavi and become the youngest player in La Liga history to register 10+ goal contributions in a season.@free__flowing analyzes Barcelona’s teenage phenom:https://t.co/R2XrGD1pt4 pic.twitter.com/w1923KRd44
— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) February 15, 2024
Ronald Araújo, his partner at the back, has commented on their ability to complement each other well on the pitch, predicting a successful partnership for many years to come. Xavi Hernández, for his part, has expressed his confidence in Cubarsí, especially in pressing situations during the game as Barcelona prevailed 3-1 following a 1-1 draw in Naples, booking their ticket for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in four years, where they will take on Paris Saint-Germain. He followed that up with a stellar display at the Wanda Metropolitano, keeping Álvaro Morata quiet as Barcelona moved into second place with a 3-0 win vs. Atleti, going two points above Girona, eight above Athletic Club and nine above Atlético Madrid.
Cubarsí, known for his leadership and skills both defensively and offensively, has shown remarkable ball skills and exceptional tactical intelligence, allowing him to anticipate opponents’ actions and contribute effectively to his team’s attacking play. His meteoric rise and impact on the pitch has not only established him as a key player in the team, but has also seen him become Barça’s youngest debutant defender in the Champions League.
With an education at La Masia and a background of international experience with the Spanish U-17 team, Pau Cubarsí is undoubtedly one of FC Barcelona’s new gems and a player to watch. It has been a meteoric rise for the promising center back, who made his first-team debut on January 19, just three days before turning 17. His impressive displays have earned him a maiden call-up to the Spanish national team after just 12 first-team appearances — only Gavi (7) and Lamine Yamal (5) needed fewer to earn a La Roja debut.
Whilst Barcelona were sent packing from the Copa del Rey by Athletic Club and likely to relinquish their league title to Real Madrid, they have the chance to return to the UEFA Champions League Final after nine years thanks in large part to Cubarsí, the latest La Masia talent to emerge onto the scene for the Blaugranas this season after Lamine Yamal and Fermín López. After keeping Victor Osimhen quiet in the second leg vs. Napoli, he’ll be tasked with stopping Kylian Mbappé and delivering another resolute display in the heart of defense.
By: Juanjo Montero / @JJMont3ro
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Soccrates Images / Getty Images