Pau Cubarsí: Rising Star of Barcelona Reflects on Early Career

omidbasir- Pau Cubarsí has quickly ascended to the elite level of football. Just days shy of his 17th birthday, he made his official debut with Barcelona’s first team in January 2024 during a Copa del Rey match against Unionistas de Salamanca. Shortly thereafter, he played in LaLiga, a moment he fondly recalls in an interview with L’Equipe. “The day after my LaLiga debut as a starter against Betis, Xavi congratulated me and wished me a happy birthday in front of everyone. Robert Lewandowski approached me and said, ‘Do you really just turn 17?’ I couldn’t believe it. I might still have looked like a kid…” he reflects.

Cubarsí also cherishes his roots, often returning home to unwind. “At my parents’ house, we have sheep, two dogs, chickens, and ducks… The sheep graze on the lawn, and we enjoy the delicious fresh eggs from our hens. When I return home, I completely disconnect,” he shared with the French newspaper.

He has closely partnered with Lamine Yamal throughout their youth careers, and both are now part of Barcelona’s first team. “Lamine and I have nearly identical professional paths. He has progressed even faster. Playing with him is effortless; you just pass him the ball, and he can change the course of the game. From a young age, he has had that ability. I remember once during training, he dribbled past me in a one-on-one situation, causing me to slip and fall. He teased me about it all week. What he doesn’t mention is that he shot… right at me! (smiles). As long as it doesn’t end in a goal, it’s fine for a defender,” he jokes in L’Equipe.

In a match against Red Star in 2024, Cubarsí sustained a cut to his face. “To play against Real Sociedad a few days later, I had to wear a protective helmet that made me look like a McDonald’s employee. My teammates started calling me the McDonald’s waiter,” he concluded.