Who is Pau Cubarsi: FC Barcelona Career Stats, Analysis & Playing Style

Pau Cubarsi is a highly touted youngster who has come through the ranks of La Masia, FC Barcelona’s prestigious youth academy. Having been brought in to fill the void in defense, owing to numerous injuries and setbacks in the senior team, the youngster has quickly become an irreplaceable part of the team. 

Despite his young age and relatively short time at the Catalan club, Pau Cubarsi has seemingly managed to turn heads at one of the biggest clubs in the world, which has seen him receive high praise and become one of the first names on the team sheet for the club. 

Signed on to the FC Barcelona youth side in 2018, it is clear that Pau Cubarsi has bags of talent, which explains his move from the youth team to the senior team in no time. As such, let’s take a closer look at this upcoming Spanish prodigy and find out everything there is to know about him.

The Rise of Pau Cubarsi: Profile, Career Stats, and Future Prospects

For the most part, Pau Cubarsi is still very much a developing talent and very early into his hopefully long and successful footballing career. That said, there is a lot that we must discuss regarding the young Spanish prodigy who has been turning heads with his performances in La Liga and the Champions League since the 2023-2024 season. 

Currently playing for and signed to FC Barcelona, Cubarsi plays as a center back and in his limited time in the team, has managed to wow audiences, coaches and his fellow players which has led to a special emphasis on the player and his progression in the club. 

As of now, Cubarsi has only made 38 appearances for the club, having been integrated into the first team last year under former manager Xavi Hernandez. Initially considered one for the future, the youngster’s progress in the youth team and the senior team’s need for defensive reinforcement have seen him make his way into the team. That said, he has more than held his own and has hardly ever looked out of place, even against difficult opposition.

Early Life and Background

All things considered, there is not a lot known about Pau Cubarsi in terms of his early life and background. However, what we do know is that his full name is Pau Cubarsi Paredes. As per the player’s biodata on the FC Barcelona official website, Cubarsi was born in Bescanó, Spain on 22/01/2007. As of 2025, the young defender is 17 years old. 

Although there is little to no information regarding Cubarsi’s parents, siblings, or family in general, it is expected that the young striker had some key footballing influences as a child. However, it is evident that Cubarsi’s parents and elder sister are fully supporting his footballing journey. That said, Pau’s journey in football began quite early as the player enrolled with Girona when he was only 7 years old. 

Notably, aside from FC Barcelona and their youth side, Cubarsi has only ever played for and under one other team in Spain. Following his four years at Girona, the young center-back made his way to the famed La Masia academy and quickly became a popular figure, whilst also representing his country at the youth level. Playing since the U-15s, Pau Cubarsi was also made captain of his side at a very young age. 

Pau Cubarsi Club Career Career, goals, trophies: Stats

As mentioned previously, the hype regarding Pau Cubarsi stems from the fact that he has set the stage ablaze with his performances at the club level. Having displayed excellent promise in a relatively short span, the youngster has backed up his performances with individual accolades and trophies with the FC Barcelona youth side as well. 

As per the player’s social media, the youth team completed a particularly fruitful and trophy-laden 2018-2019 campaign. Early last year, Pau Cubarsi caught the attention of many when he was named the Player of the Match on his UEFA Champions League debut during his team’s 3-1 win over Napoli. 

As mentioned previously, Cubarsi has also displayed his talents at the national level as well, putting in solid performances and collecting trophies for Spain as well. With appearances for the Spain Under-16, Under-17, Under-21, Under-23, and the senior side this season, it would seem that Cubarsi’s talent was recognized by his country very early on.

Key Moments and Achievements

By all means, Pau Cubarsi has been a revelation for the Blaugurana in defense, partnering alongside the veteran Inigo Martinez and stepping up in the absence of regulars like Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen. That said, Cubarsi is a trailblazer for young talents and is setting new records every other month. Let’s take a look at some of them. 

Earlier this year, Pau Cubarsi became the youngest defender ever to start in the quarter-finals of the Champions League aged just 17 years and 79 days. Prior to that in the aforementioned game against Napoli, he became the youngest ever Barça defender to start in the competition. Similarly, in March, Cubarsi was awarded the La Liga prize for the U23 player of the month for March, over some top players in the league.

Lastly, owing to his fine form over the past couple of years for club and country, Pau Cubarsi, represented by Bahía Internacional, put pen to paper and signed a new deal at FC Barcelona. Speaking about the incredible occasion, the player wrote, “Proud to sign the renewal with the club of my life! @fcbarcelona. Thanks to everyone who made it possible, my family and @bahiafutbol. To continue defending colors, land, and our people. Thank you culers!.”

Also Read: Who is Rodrigo Mora: Porto FC Career Stats, Analysis & Playing Style

Pau Cubarsi Scout Report

Throughout his time playing for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, Pau Cubarsi has displayed a level of maturity and defensive prowess that seems well beyond his years. By and large, his temperament and control make it seem as though he has been playing at the highest level for many years now.

Despite being a teenager, his understanding of the game specifically that of a defender has been quite impressive. Owing to his performances, Pau Cubarsi has at times been likened to former FC Barcelona legend and defender Carles Puyol, a dominant and physically imposing leader who was key in many of the club’s most storied achievements. 

Having broken through the ranks even earlier than the legendary Spanish defender, Cubarsi has all the attributes to succeed and carry forward Puyol’s legacy in the coming years. Not only is he a rock-solid defender, but Cubarsi has also shown leadership attributes for his youth sides, which is possibly the reason why he exhibits that same calming yet attentive demeanor for the senior side as well. 

Pau Cubarsi’s Playing Style and Strengths

According to experts, Pau Cubarsi’s key attributes lie in his ability to detect danger and of course his extraordinary ball-playing abilities as a center-back. In his first 20 games for the senior side, Cubarsi recorded a tremendous 90.98% pass accuracy rate, displaying a level of passing ability, both short and long, that one would come to expect from a world-class midfielder. 

Whilst power and pace are key prerequisites for a center back in today’s day and age, Cubarsi is said to be quite physical in his approach, which coupled with his ability to keep and pass the ball make him a perfect all-rounder center half. Deployed as the more aggressive of the two center halves, Cubarsi plays as a destroyer, jumping into tackles and intervening to stop the opposition’s attacking transitions. 

Pau Cubarsi’s EA FC Rating

Currently, Pau Cubarsi has a 74-rated card in EA FC 25. Owing to significant improvement from the young defender in the past season, his rating has come leaps and bounds with a steady progression. Notably, the card has a potential of 90 OVR, which will certainly appease a lot of FC Barcelona fans. 

That said, the coming seasons could see Cubarsi significantly increase his rating, especially if he keeps competing at the level he is currently playing at. Naturally, his EA FC card does not accurately capture his passing and defensive attributes and a sustained period of good form will soon lead to it changing as well. 

Pau Cubarsi’s Net Worth & Salary

For the most part, the contract and salary details of academy and youth players are never made public. Owing to the budding ages of the young talents, their minds are usually veered off of contract details, salaries, bonuses, and such. Thus, it is difficult to arrive at an estimated salary or net worth for Pau Cubarsi. 

However, following his new deal at the club early last year, it is reported that Cubarsi will reportedly earn €4 million in the first year of his contract which will steadily increase across the duration of his contract, set to expire in 2027. Not only that but as a sign of confidence in the player, the club has also inserted a €500 million buyout clause in the player’s contract, likely to veer off any potential suitors that may come calling. 

Regardless, expect many clubs to come sniffing for Cubarsi’s signature in the next few years, especially once he starts nearing the end of his current deal. With a long and bright future ahead of him, Pau Cubarsi is seen as the future of FC Barcelona’s defense and potentially even a future captain one day. 

Conclusion

By all means, Pau Cubarsi is one future star that we must keep an eye out for. With a splendid record so far for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, there are growing beliefs among the club’s hierarchy that Cubarsi will soon develop to be in a position where he can become one of the leaders in the current team. 

In recent times, owing to financial struggles, FC Barcelona has shown a heavy reliance on youth players and Cubarsi is a model example of that. Alongside Lamine Yamal and other academy graduates, the young defender hopes to bring about a real change in the fortunes of the club.

Also Read: Who is Jaime Barroso: Real Madrid Career Stats, Analysis & Playing Style