​Few players have elevated their reputation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as rapidly as Pau Cubarsi. The Barcelona defender has emerged as one of Spain’s standout stars of the tournament, marrying defensive maturity with notable poise in possession despite being only 19 years old. Cubarsi’s latest performance for Spain illustrates just how influential he has become. Alongside Aymeric Laporte, he has won back possession in the opposition’s half more often than any other centre-back at the tournament. He also sits among the leaders for key passes and successful dribbles, underscoring the all-around qualities that have made him a regular under both Hansi Flick at club level and Luis de la Fuente with Spain.
In a conversation with AS, the La Masia product reflected on his rapid ascent, his relationship with Lamine Yamal, his work under Hansi Flick, and the challenge of facing Kylian Mbappé. The chat naturally touched on Yamal, another Barcelona wonderkid, with Cubarsi describing their personalities as distinct despite a close bond. “I’m more of a character, someone who pushes hard, while Lamine is calmer; he does his own thing. That’s his style of play, as he’s shown. It’s as if he were playing in the local park.”
Cubarsi has proven extraordinarily dependable at the World Cup. When asked about Yamal’s mindset ahead of Spain’s clash with France, the youngster’s approach remained clear to him. “Very good; he’s focused on what he has to do, on helping the team. He knows the spotlight is on his goals and assists, but he concentrates on assisting the team beyond that—on defensive work and putting pressure on the full-back as only he knows how. Lamine is a force to be reckoned with when he takes you on.”
The defender also conceded that former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol remains his greatest inspiration, saying simply, “Puyol, my idol.” Looking ahead to another showdown with Kylian Mbappé, Cubarsi acknowledged the France captain’s quality while stressing that Spain will not alter their approach. “He doesn’t scare us, but everyone knows what he’s capable of. Even if he’s not fully involved, he can change the game in an instant. He’s one of a kind, just like Lamine. We must stay alert for the full 90 minutes.”
Pau Cubarsi’s World Cup form has been a revelation, and the defender has made it clear that he intends to carry this momentum forward. He credited Hansi Flick with accelerating his development since Flick’s arrival at Barcelona, noting the coach’s trust in him. “Ever since I arrived, he’s had faith in me, even though I couldn’t participate in his first pre-season. He told me I had good abilities but that I needed to develop them further and build on them. That guidance has helped me a lot, personally, to stay focused. You train as you play, and I’ve learned to push myself to the next level.”