Barcelona is one of the best clubs in soccer history, and they are also known as a club that focuses heavily on their youth talents, with Pau Cubarsi their latest product. Their famed La Masia academy is known to produce some of the best young players in the world, with notable examples being Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta, among many others.
In recent years as well, the club has promoted many youth players to the first team, who are now creating history. Players like Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Inaki Pena, and Lamine Yamal are all examples of the current first team. And now, another young talent has joined their ranks.
Who is Pau Cubarsi?
Barcelona always seems to spawn a new teenage sensation every season who makes great impressions on world soccer. Manager Xavi Hernandez yesterday decided to give another talented youngster a debut. Pau Cubarsi is the latest debutant in the Barcelona team, though no one really knows his backstory.
The 2007-born Spanish soccer prodigy is only 16 years old and plays as a center back. Born in Catalonia, he was in the academy of Girona, which has had an impressive and surprising season so far. In 2018, he made the move to Barcelona’s youth academy. He was their 3rd youngest player to play in the UEFA Youth League, with Lamine Yamal and Ilaix Moriba ahead of him, with the former having impressed greatly this season.
Pau impressed greatly during his time as a youth player, and this was noticed by the higher-ups at the club. It wasn’t long before Xavi saw his abilities and talents and allowed him to train with the first team in April of last year. Only 3 months later, he will be given his first professional contract, showing the club’s trust in him.
He trained with the club on the pre-season tour and continued to impress his peers. And he was finally rewarded with a debut in the Copa del Rey game against Unionistas de Salamanca. Pau has also represented Spain at the youth international level, playing for the U-15 and U-17 teams. He had impressed for Spain in the recent U-17 World Cup.
Pau Cubarsi becomes part of La Liga history
Yesterday, Pau Cubarsi finally got his much-awaited La Liga debut in the game against Real Betis. The game was very tough, but Barcelona managed to get a 4-2 win. Pau started the game as well in his debut game itself, and he is only 16. He impressed during the match, and many have applauded the teenager for his superb performance.
Barcelona also created history in the process, as they gave the starting place to both Lamine Yamal and Pau, both of them being only 16 years old. This meant that a team in La Liga had fielded two 16 year old players in the starting lineup for the first time in 24 years. It was also the first time it was done since the advent of the 21st century. With an average age of 24 years and 170 days, it was the youngest lineup in the league this season.
Barcelona will now focus on their next match against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarter finals on Thursday, with the inclusion of Pau Cubarsi still not confirmed.
