PSG midfielder praises Barcelona trio, names Xavi as his idol ahead of UCL showdown

Speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, PSG and Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz has praised Barcelona teenage trio Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Gavi ahead of the two clubs’ showdown in the UEFA Champions League.

Barça will be locking horns with PSG in the quarterfinals of the Champions League next month, in what will be one of the most anticipated match-ups.

And Ruiz, who is currently a part of the Spanish national team squad, along with Barcelona’s Yamal and Cubarsi, praised the youngsters.

“We are already seeing in Barcelona what kind of players they are, they are showing it in every game. It is also true that Lamine has been here longer, but Pau Cubarsí has shown in just a few games that he is ready to play,” he said.

“And now we have seen him here in training: very well, very calm and we hope to see him make his debut soon because I think he can be a great player for the future of Spanish football.”

Ruiz also commented on the absence of Gavi, claiming that the Spanish national team was eagerly awaiting for his return from injury, as he said:

“We wish him a speedy recovery because we know he’s looking forward to coming back to us. As a player he is incredible, but as a person even more so.

“I’m lucky enough to know him well, because he’s from my town. We are waiting for him with open arms.”

Fabian Ruiz holds Gavi in very high regard. (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

On the prospect of facing Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, the PSG midfielder remarked:

“We know that Barcelona are a great club, that they have been doing very well in the last stretch of the league, and that it will be a very close match, which will be decided by small details.

“We will try to prepare for it in the best possible way and arrive in the best possible shape to try to get through.”

When asked to highlight what makes Barcelona a threat, Ruiz replied: “Apart from the fact that they have players of great quality, both in defence and in attack, I think they are a team that likes possession of the ball.

“Once they get to the final stretch of the pitch they have very quick one-on-one players. Up front they have forwards who can score a lot of goals and create a lot of danger.

“Let’s see what happens, it’s going to be a very difficult, evenly matched tie and we’ll have to work hard.”

In the past, Ruiz had been linked with a move to Barcelona, both when he was at Real Betis and Napoli. When asked if there was any truth to those rumours, he replied:

“Well, they were rumours. But in the end to be linked with teams like Barcelona is always a source of pride to be admired, although there was nothing concrete. In spite of that, it’s always a very good sign to be linked with big teams.”

In a rapid-fire round of questions, Ruiz was asked to name his childhood, to which he responded: “Xavi Hernandez.”

When asked who he sees as a reference in his position, the PSG star once again replied: “Xavi Hernandez.”

When asked to name a player he would take to PSG, Ruiz said: “Gavi, who is from my hometown.”