The 17-year-old Barcelona defender, Pau Cubarsi faced a formidable challenge against Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, marking his toughest test yet. Cubarsi made his LaLiga debut in January, just before turning 17, and this Champions League match was only his 15th appearance with the senior team.
While he could have been the youngest player to feature in a Champions League quarter-final if not for his teammate Lamine Yamal, 16, also starting, Cubarsi showcased remarkable composure throughout the game. In the first half, he led the pitch in clearances and boasted an impressive 92.59% passing accuracy.
During the second half, Cubarsi’s defensive prowess shone as he regained possession five times in crucial areas of the field, trailing only behind Joao Cancelo and PSG’s Beraldo in this aspect.
Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, has been instrumental in the team’s success this season, with breakthrough talents like Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Marc Guiu making their mark. Gavi and Pedri have been standout performers as well. Cubarsi’s exceptional performance in this match adds his name to the list of promising talents emerging from La Masia.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye.
