Profile of Pau Cubarsi, Young Barcelona Defender Injured in the Face Due to a Horror Kick from Red Star Striker

Kapanlagi.com - Barcelona defender, Pau Cubarsi, experienced a rather shocking incident after his team secured a 5-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade in Matchday 4 of the 2024/2025 Champions League on Thursday (07/11/2024). The 17-year-old young player had to be substituted in the 67th minute due to a head injury caused by a kick from Red Star striker, Uros Spajic.

The gaping wound he suffered caused blood to flow profusely, and he required ten stitches to close the injury. However, coach Hansi Flick assured that Cubarsi's condition is fine after receiving the necessary treatment.

Despite the injury, Pau Cubarsi Paredes remains a rising star in the world of football. This center-back from Spain not only strengthens Barcelona in La Liga but has also been called up to reinforce the Spanish national team.

Known for his accurate ball distribution, solid positioning, and intelligence in reading the game, Cubarsi is regarded as one of the most promising young talents of his generation.

Born in Bescan, Girona, Catalonia, Cubarsi has an interesting background. He is fluent in Catalan and rarely appears in interviews as he is still adapting to the Spanish language.

His experience playing for the Spanish national team on the international stage has brought him into the spotlight, not only for his skills but also for his strong cultural identity as a Catalan.

Since joining Barcelona's academy in 2018, Cubarsi has shown rapid development. Now, he has become the third youngest player to debut in the UEFA Youth League for Barcelona, following in the footsteps of Lamine Yamal and Ilaix Moriba. With his talent and dedication, Pau Cubarsi's future in the world of football looks very bright!

1. Early Career in Girona to Joining Barcelona

Cubars began his football adventure in Girona before joining the legendary Barcelona academy in 2018. At La Masia, his talent flourished, impressing many with a maturity of play that surpassed his age, especially in defense. He became a key player for Barcelona in various youth competitions.

In 2021, he stepped onto the UEFA Youth League stage, making his debut against Viktoria Plze with a 1-1 draw. With this appearance, he etched his name as the third youngest player in Barcelona's history to play in this prestigious tournament, only behind two young stars, Lamine Yamal and Ilaix Moriba.

2. Call-Up to Barcelona's First Team by Xavi

In April 2023, Cubars experienced a historic moment when he was called up by legendary coach Xavi Hernandez to train with Barcelona's first team.

This rare opportunity not only became a valuable experience for him but also affirmed Barcelona management's confidence in his promising talent.

Then, in July 2023, Cubars officially signed his first professional contract with the Spanish giants, a monumental step in his career journey.

Shortly after, he was listed in Barcelona's preseason squad for the 2023-24 season, where he trained alongside his seniors and deepened his understanding of tactics and strategy under Xavi's direct guidance.

3. Debut in the First Team and Record in the Champions League

Cubars caught the public's attention when he made his official debut with Barcelona's first team on January 18, 2024, in the Copa del Rey against Unionistas de Salamanca.

Coming on in the second half, he immediately showcased his skills and delivered an impressive performance. Not stopping there, he also made his mark in La Liga a day before celebrating his 17th birthday, when facing Real Betis.

However, the pinnacle of his brilliant career occurred on March 12, 2024, when he was named Player of the Match in his debut in the Champions League against Napoli.

At the age of 17 years and 50 days, he made history as the youngest player to compete in the knockout stage of the Champions League, breaking the record previously held by David Alaba of Bayern Munich.

4. Breaking Records Again in the Champions League Quarter-Finals

Cubars made history again in the Champions League by becoming the youngest defender to reach the quarter-finals, setting a record at 17 years and 79 days, surpassing the achievement of Georgi Shchennikov from CSKA Moscow.

"Playing in such a big match is a dream come true," he expressed enthusiastically after the match. This historic moment made him the center of attention, both in the eyes of Barcelona's management and football fans worldwide.

With a mature playing style and sharp situational awareness, many believe Cubars will be a solid pillar in Barcelona's defense for a long time.

5. International Career and Challenges in the Spanish National Team

In March 2024, Cubars made history by being called up to strengthen the senior national team of Spain, making his debut in a friendly match against Colombia and replacing Aymeric Laporte in the 83rd minute.

With his bravery, he managed to break Sergio Ramos' record as the youngest defender to ever play for Spain, at just 17 years, one month, and 28 days old.

Although his name was not included in the final squad for Euro 2024, this valuable experience remains an important milestone in his career, adding to his international exposure and proving that the future of Spanish football lies in the hands of young generations like him.

6. Severe Facial Injury

In an exciting UEFA Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday (7/11) early morning, Pau Cubars experienced a shocking incident while battling for the ball in the second half. A serious facial injury from an opponent's kick caused heavy bleeding, forcing the medical team to intervene immediately.

Despite falling and having to leave the field, Cubars showed incredible fighting spirit by walking off without the aid of a stretcher. Not only that, he even shared a photo of himself with a blood-smeared face and stitches on his right cheek, while still smiling broadly.

His heroic actions inspired many fans, leading them to nickname him "Puyol 2.0," referring to the toughness of former Barcelona captain, Carles Puyol.

(kpl/rmt)