In this Catalan name, the first or paternal surname is Cubarsí and the second or maternal family name is Paredes; both are generally joined by the conjunction "i".
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:28, 15 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:55, 15 October 2024 (UTC)
Pau Cubarsí Paredes (born 22 January 2007) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. Known for his distribution, defensive positioning and game intelligence, he is considered to be one of the best young defenders in the world.[3][4][5]
Cubarsí speaks Catalan. While playing for Spain at the Olympic Games in 2024, he said that he rarely takes part in interviews because he is not fluent speaking Spanish, having only ever lived in Catalonia and used his native language.[7]
Club career
Cubarsí began his career with Girona, before the move to Barcelona in 2018.[6] Having progressed through the academy, he became the third-youngest Barcelona player to debut in the UEFA Youth League, behind Lamine Yamal and Ilaix Moriba, when he started in an eventual 1–1 draw with Czech side Viktoria Plzeň.[6]
In April 2023, he trained with the first team for the first time, having been called up by manager Xavi.[8] He signed his first professional contract with the club three months later, on 8 July.[9] He was included in Barcelona's pre-season squad ahead of the 2023–24 season.[10]
On 18 January 2024, Cubarsí made his first team debut against Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey, being subbed on in the 46th minute.[11] His first start came in the next match against Real Betis in La Liga, a day before his 17th birthday.[12]
On 12 March 2024, he was named Player of the Match on his UEFA Champions League debut in a 3–1 victory over Napoli in the round of 16 second leg, in which he became the youngest player to debut at 17 years and 50 days in the competition's knockout phase, breaking former Bayern Munich defender David Alaba's previous record of 17 years and 258 days.[3][5]
On 10 April 2024 Cubarsí has become the youngest defender to start in the quarter finals of the Champions League aged only 17 years and 79 days breaking the previous record held by CSKA Moscow's Georgi Shchennikov.[13]
On 9 May 2024, Barcelona announced that they had reached an agreement with Cubarsí for an extension until 30 June 2027.[14][15]
International career
Cubarsí has represented Spain from under-15 to under-17 level.[16] In March 2024, he was called up to the senior Spain team for the first time by coach Luis de la Fuente, debuting in a 1–0 friendly loss to Colombia.[17] He came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute replacing Aymeric Laporte, in which he became the youngest defender to ever play for Spain at the age of 17 years one month and 28 days, breaking the record previously held by Sergio Ramos in 2005.[18]
On 27 May 2024, Cubarsí was named in the 29-man preliminary squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.[19] However, on 7 June, he was excluded from the final squad prior to the tournament.[20]
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 15 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
