Barcelona wonderkid Pau Cubarsi talks Araujo, Yamal, Cancelo, Xavi, Puyol, Pique

Defensive resurgence has been one of the key factors behind Barcelona’s return to form in recent weeks.

The Catalans are still far from where they would like to be, but the purple patch over the past month gives them reason to fight and believe in an otherwise glum season.

Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona’s latest teenage phenom, has been instrumental in ramping up the team’s defensive solidity, and thus, the team’s fortunes in recent games.

His astronomical rise has not gone unnoticed, for he has been called up by Luis de La Fuente to represent the Spanish national team in the ongoing international break.

Barcelona’s new defensive mainstay spoke to the media earlier today during his first senior international call-up and briefly discussed his rise to the limelight and the past few weeks at Barcelona.

The teenage sensation began his interview by revealing his support system inside the dressing room and the various players who helped him get over the starting jitters.

“All of them, to be honest, we are one team and a great team, but especially Ronald [Araujo] helped me tactically and personally, and Joao Cancelo who is one of the most fun players in the team.”

The latest gem emerging from La Masia. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Cubarsi is joined by Lamine Yamal, his La Masia companion, on the international call-up with La Roja. Commenting on the skilled winger, he said,

“Lamine is a key player for us even though he is still very young.”

Cubarsi then went on to reveal his footballing role models, and unsurprisingly, chose two homemade La Masia legends as his picks, although he had admitted in an earlier interview that he also looked up to Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos.

“I’ve always said that my role models are Puyol and Pique. Puyol was distinguished by his security, ambition, and personality, both on and off the field.”

“Pique I watched on TV when I was young and I loved his style. I could imagine the way he played,” he added about the recently retired veteran.

On the trust shown in him by manager Xavi, he said: “To have it told to you by the coach, who was also one of the best players in history, I feel it is a privilege. I am very happy for the trust. He helps us to the maximum and treats us as one of the team.”

Finally, the Spanish phenom was asked to comment on how he felt after being elected man-of-the-match in the UCL clash against Napoli to which he revealed that he took a long time to believe that he had been elected for the accolade.

“To be honest I thought they were joking with me but when I found out I was very happy with the work I did for the team. This is an individual achievement but also for the whole team, I felt very happy.”

Source: X/FC Barcelona