What do they feed the kids over at Barcelona’s youth academy?! Results under Xavi might have fluctuated this season, but overall, in his tenure, the magic of La Masia has been rekindled with debuts of world-class prospects like Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, Marc Guiu, and more. Pau Cubarsi joined the list recently at just 16!
The excitement around Cubarsi is at fever-pitch, not just because Barcelona’s precarious financial situation will prevent them from splurging much, but because he’s an outstanding prospect with the potential of leading a team’s backline.
So, who is Pau Cubarsi, and is the excitement around him valid? We take a look-
Who is Pau Cubarsi?
Pau Cubarsi is Catalonian through and through, something which will undoubtedly help him get the adulation of the FC Barcelona fans. He came through the Girona youth academy, who are performing a miracle of their own in the league.
He moved to Barcelona in 2018 at the age of 12 and so quickly was he fast-tracked that within three years, he became the third-youngest player to play for Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League when he played against Viktoria Plzen in 2022. Only Lamine Yamal and Illaix Moriba were younger.
His rapid ascent was getting impossible to ignore. Within the next six months, the steps became quicker. He was training with the first team in April 2023, a professional contract was signed in July and he made his league debut against Real Betis recently in a 4-2 win.
His full Barcelona debut came in Copa del Rey against Unionistas, where he assisted a goal in just 45 minutes of playing time.
Now 17, the stage is set for Cubarsi as an established first-team member to explode and put himself alongside the likes of Gavi, Pedri, and Yamal in terms of being recognised as a world-class talent in the making.
Pau Cubarsi potential
There’s a certain aura attached to La Masia and their ever-churning of football wonderkids. This is what makes it one of the best academies in the world.
Cubarsi’s case is no different. If anything, he could be the defender with the biggest potential of them all, which is some statement considering the likes of Ronald Araujo, Carles Puyol, and Gerard Pique all came from La Masia.
FC Barcelona coaches certainly treat him highly. It is easier to debut a young attacker in the first team because mistakes up front don’t lead to direct goals for the opposition. Alongside defensive midfield, centre-back is the position which is the most difficult to make a debut…
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