Who is Pau Cubarsí, the new nugget in defense of FC Barcelona?

Pau Cubarsí Paredes. This name probably doesn’t mean much to you if you don’t assiduously follow the latest prospects produced by La Masia, the prestigious FC Barcelona training center. The young Spanish central defender came into play after returning from the locker room in place of the Dane Andreas Christensen, victim of minor muscle discomfort during the victory against the Unionistas in Salamanca (3-1) in the round of 16 of the Copa do King. However, if this is his very first professional appearance in the Blaugrana jersey, the one who will celebrate his 17th birthday on January 22 had already started in the first team during the last deadline of 2023, with 71 minutes during the friendly match lost in Dallas against Club America (2-3).

For his very first meeting in official competition after 11 call-ups with the A, the young central was able to show an interesting solidity in his central hinge formed with Jules Koundé, which he also serves on the second Barcelona goal scored by the Frenchman, in addition to notable precision in his distributions (93% of successful passes), facilitated by an opposing block not pressing the first receivers. Vigilant in the few situations where he was called upon, the level of the opponent (Spanish D3) does not really allow us to make a real assessment of the player’s potential, but his management of pressure and the cleanliness of his performance cannot that portend positive signs for his first steps with the reigning Spanish champion.

A precocious defender

Born on January 22, 2007 in the north of Catalonia, precisely in Estanyol (southwest of Girona), Pau Cubarsí Paredes took his first steps on the pitch at Girona FC, which he joined in 2014 to make his mark in the youth teams. But his training with the Blanquivermells only lasted four short years since a golden opportunity was offered to him. He then joined FC Barcelona, ​​club of his idol and Blaugrana legend: the world champion and double European champion Carles Puyol. If there is one word that describes his adventure with the reigning Spanish champion, it is precocity. Very quickly, he was upgraded in the youth teams two or even three years above. Furthermore, he is playing this season with Juvenil A (U19) before even joining Barça Atlétic last September.

He also has a head start on a European scale, since he also participates in the UEFA Youth League, during which he becomes the third youngest player in the history of Barça in this competition behind Lamine Yamal , still at FCB, and Ilaix Moriba, who has since left for Leipzig, who loaned him to Valencia then Getafe. After a year 2023 synonymous with ascension for the Catalan between his first training sessions with the first team last spring and the signing of his first professional contract a few months later, the entry of Cubarsi confirms the importance given to the technician Barcelona has youth capable of bringing him unpredictability and the seriousness he expects from his players. It’s up to him to seize his chance in a defensive sector mired in doubt for several weeks…