Rock in the Surf
The youngster, together with veteran Aymeric Laporte, forms one of the best centre-back duos at this World Cup. On their way to their second semi-final since 2010, the team conceded only one goal.
As with the 2010 World Cup title, the defense is the key to success. Back then, they marched through the entire knockout phase with four 1-0 victories.
Cubarsí has been thoroughly convincing at this World Cup and is well on his way to becoming one of the absolute shooting stars. On average, the Spaniard has 99 touches per game and a pass completion rate of 96 percent.
His positioning, his composure on the ball, and his tackling make him an important pillar. And although he is not the fastest player at top speed, he compensates for this with his high tactical intelligence.
Like Puyol or Pique once were
The teenager is the next superstar from the legendary La Masia talent factory. In Barcelona, everyone is convinced that he is the legitimate successor to Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, who will shape a new era in Catalonia.
Dieser Spieler wird eine neue Ära einleiten.
Training at La Masia
His personality also plays a role in why he isn't constantly in the spotlight. Pau Cubarsí Paredes was born on January 22, 2007, in Estanyol, a small district of the municipality of Bescanó near Girona.
100 kilometers north of Barcelona, he grew up in an environment where almost exclusively Catalan was spoken at home. At the 2024 Olympic Games, he openly admitted that he was long reluctant to conduct interviews in Spanish.
While other talents learn early to deal with cameras and headlines, Cubarsí seemed more like the quiet boy from the village. He is repeatedly described by many as calm and down-to-earth.
After starting his career at FC Girona, he moved early to Barca's youth academy at the age of eleven. There, he went through all age groups together with Lamine Yamal and finally impressed in the UEFA Youth League 2023.
Regular Starter at 17
Xavi brought the then 16-year-old up to the senior squad. After his debut in the Copa del Rey in January 2024, Cubarsí quickly played his way into the starting XI and permanently established himself in central defense.
"This player will usher in a new era. When we are pressed with high pressing, he chooses the best option. And he knows when to play through lines. He corrects errors, wins duels and doesn't seem like he's only 17 years old," Xavi said after his first appearance.
In March 2024, he was immediately named Player of the Match in his Champions League debut. At 17 years and 50 days, he also broke the record of Austrian national team star David Alaba as the youngest player to make his debut in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
In the course of his rapid development, his contract was extended until 2029 – including a release clause of 500 million euros.
Defensive Leader under Flick
Since his debut, Cubarsí has been a fixture at "Blaugrana". Even when his partners in central defense changed, the youngster always remained. Under Xavi's successor Hansi Flick, the Catalan is a key pillar.
And this is despite the fact that the position of centre-back in "System-Flick" is one of the most difficult. Due to the enormously high defensive line, there is hardly any cover, a lot of willingness to take risks in possession, and enormous composure under pressure is required.
For a teenager, this responsibility could easily become overwhelming. But Cubarsí makes it look completely normal.
"It's great to have him in the team, especially considering how long he's been playing at such a high level at this age," Flick once praised him.
Already over 100 competitive matches for Barca
There was a brief phase at the beginning of last season and towards the end of the previous season when it seemed that Cubarsí's performance level had somewhat declined.
But such fluctuations are natural, especially for such a young player who plays at a top level week after week. Over the course of the season, he has further stabilized and thus played his way into the World Cup squad.
Despite his young age, Cubarsí has already made 128 competitive appearances for FC Barcelona, including 85 in La Liga and 26 in the Champions League. During this time, he won two league titles and one cup victory.
Olympic Champion 2024
He has played 18 international matches for Spain so far. Shortly after his Champions League debut, he was nominated for the senior national team by Luis de la Fuente for the first time. This made him the third-youngest debutant after his club teammates Lamine Yamal and Gavi.
He did not make it into the squad for EURO 2024, instead, he was allowed to play for Spain at the Olympic Games and won the gold medal there.
The Crowning Achievement in the USA?
Cubarsí has developed into one of the best centre-backs in the world in the shadow of Lamine Yamal and impresses week after week on the biggest stage.
In the USA, he could now follow in the footsteps of Pique and Puyol and celebrate Spain's second World Cup title since 2010 with the "Furia Roja".
Lamine Yamal will continue to dominate the headlines, but if Spain does indeed become world champions, the player who is least often on the front pages might ultimately have the biggest share in it: Pau Cubarsí.
