Pau Cubarsí: Sports Career
At just 17 years old, Pau Cubarsí has already established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in world football. His remarkable rise from La Masia academy prospect to FC Barcelona first-team regular represents one of the most accelerated development paths in recent years. This profile examines his career trajectory, achievements, and potential for what many experts predict will be an extraordinary football journey.
Career Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pau Cubarsí Paredes |
| Date of Birth | January 22, 2007 |
| Age | 17 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Current Club | FC Barcelona |
| Jersey Number | 33 |
| Professional Debut | January 4, 2024 (vs Barbastro) |
| First-team Appearances | 28 (as of February 2025) |
| Contract Until | 2026 |
| Market Value | €38 million (est.) |
Career Milestones
Cubarsí’s career has been defined by several key moments that highlight his exceptional trajectory. His first significant milestone came at age eight when he joined FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy after beginning at local club Girona. By 15, he was already training with Barcelona’s U-19 team, demonstrating his accelerated development. His professional debut in January 2024 marked the beginning of his senior career, quickly followed by his Champions League debut against Napoli—becoming one of the youngest players ever to represent Barcelona in the competition. Just months later, he earned his first call-up to Spain’s senior national team.
Latest Achievements
In the past year, Cubarsí has collected several notable achievements that confirm his status as one of football’s most promising defenders. He was named La Masia’s Most Promising Talent for 2023, recognizing his exceptional development within Barcelona’s academy system. His seamless transition to first-team football earned him Barcelona’s Breakthrough Player Award following his debut. Internationally, UEFA included him in their prestigious “22 Under 22” list for 2024, while his performances in the Champions League secured him a nomination for the Golden Boy award. Most recently, he was selected for Spain’s squad for major international competitions.
Club Career
Current Club and Appearances
Since making his first-team debut for FC Barcelona in January 2024, Cubarsí has quickly established himself as a regular starter under manager Xavi Hernández. In just over a year, he has accumulated 28 first-team appearances across all competitions, including 18 in La Liga, 6 in the Champions League, and 4 in domestic cup competitions. Despite his youth, he has averaged over 85 minutes per appearance, demonstrating the coaching staff’s complete confidence in his abilities. His playing time has steadily increased throughout the season, evolving from occasional appearances to becoming a fixture in Barcelona’s starting lineup.
Current Club and Performances
Cubarsí’s performances for Barcelona have been characterized by remarkable consistency and maturity beyond his years. His pass completion rate has remained above 92% throughout the season, placing him among the elite ball-playing defenders in Europe. Defensively, he averages 1.8 successful tackles, 2.4 interceptions, and 3.6 clearances per 90 minutes, impressive statistics for a defender of any age. Perhaps most notably, Barcelona’s goals-against average has improved by 0.4 goals per game when Cubarsí is in the starting lineup, highlighting his significant impact on the team’s defensive stability.
Transfer History
As a La Masia product who has only recently broken into professional football, Cubarsí has not yet experienced any transfers between clubs. His journey has been entirely within the FC Barcelona system, progressing from the youth teams to the first team. However, his rapid rise has already attracted interest from Europe’s elite clubs, with reported inquiries from Premier League and Serie A teams. Barcelona responded by securing his services with a new contract through 2026, including a €500 million release clause—one of the highest ever for a player of his age—effectively declaring him untransferable at this stage of his development.
Accomplishments at Clubs
Though early in his professional career, Cubarsí has already contributed to significant team achievements at Barcelona. He played an integral role in the club’s Copa del Rey campaign, helping the team reach the semifinals. In the Champions League, his composed performances were crucial in Barcelona’s progression to the quarterfinals, including a standout display against Napoli that earned him UEFA’s Man of the Match award. While major trophies have yet to come, his impact on Barcelona’s defensive organization has been widely acknowledged, with the team showing marked improvement in defensive metrics since his integration into the starting lineup.
International Career
Participation in International Tournaments
Cubarsí’s international experience began with Spain’s youth teams, where he represented his country at U-16, U-17, and U-19 levels. He was a key figure in Spain’s U-17 European Championship campaign, where his performances caught the attention of senior team selectors. In early 2024, he received his first call-up to Spain’s senior squad for UEFA Nations League fixtures, becoming one of the youngest defenders ever selected for La Roja. While he has not yet participated in a major tournament with the senior team, his inclusion in the preliminary squad for upcoming competitions signals his growing importance to the national team setup.
Performances for the National Team
Cubarsí’s integration into Spain’s senior national team has been as impressive as his club breakthrough. After making his debut in a friendly match, he quickly earned his competitive debut in the UEFA Nations League, displaying the same composure and tactical awareness that characterizes his club performances. In his five appearances for the senior team, Spain has maintained three clean sheets, with Cubarsí playing the full 90 minutes in each of those matches. National team coach Luis de la Fuente has praised his “exceptional maturity and tactical intelligence,” suggesting he views the young defender as a long-term solution in Spain’s defensive line.
Plans and Prospects for the Future
Looking ahead, both Barcelona and Spain have clear development paths mapped out for Cubarsí. At club level, Barcelona has designed a gradual increase in responsibilities, balancing his playing time to prevent burnout while challenging him with high-level competition. Internationally, Spain’s technical staff has indicated their intention to fully integrate him into the senior squad ahead of major tournaments, viewing him as a potential cornerstone of the national team for the next decade. Football analysts widely project him to develop into one of the world’s elite defenders, with former players like Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué publicly stating their belief that he has the potential to surpass their own accomplishments for club and country.