Pau Cubarsi, a new La Masia Academy product, produced an exceptional performance in the Barcelona game against Napoli in the Champions League Round of 16 as Barcelona cruised to the next round of the tournament.
The 17-year-old defender was vested with the responsibility of stopping one of the biggest strikers in Europe, Victor Osimhen.
The defender was able to achieve 100% tackles, 100% aerial duels, 90% pass accuracy, 61 completed passes, 5 clearances, and wasn't dribbled throughout the game.
Due to his impressive performance, Victor Osimhen was silenced in the game and got an overall rating of just 5.9.
Cubarsi was the youngest defender to have ever started a Champions League game. No single Napoli player was able to dribble past the Barcelona youngster, not even Osimhen who the Spanish defender marked throughout the game.
After the game, the defender was compared to former Barcelona captain Ronald Koeman. His performance won him the man of the match against Napoli.
The attributes of the 17-year-old defender were his ability to deliver the ball from the back and his calmness and tranquility on the pitch.
Due to his performance in the Champions League clash against Napoli, Xavi Hernandez is expected to start Curbasi in the upcoming match in La Liga when Barcelona plays against Atletico Madrid on March 17, 2024.
What Football Pundits Said About Pau Curbasi After His Exceptional Performance Against Napoli
Cubarsi did what he was expected to do, earning praise from different football pundits in the process.
Manchester United legend Owen Hargreaves, during his pundit duties, said, "This kid was picking out passes for fun. He made it look so easy. It was physical when he needed to be."
"For a Spanish center-back to be this physical against somebody like Osimhen is quite rare."
Furthermore, Hargreaves said, "He's 17, and this is his first start. He played ridiculously well; that is a star now, a star of the future."
"He’s obviously completely different from Puyol; Pique was brilliant, but I think his long-range passing is better than any of those. By far."
Another pundit, Glen Hoodle, showered praise on the 17-year-old defender. He said, "Incredible, incredible performance. We watched him all night, and I'm so impressed with him. His defensive work, It’s just top-quality. It’s like Ronald Koeman at his best, hitting passes like that. Incredible for 17."
Who is Pau Curbasi?
The defender was born on January 22, 2007, in the city of Bescano, Spain. He is currently 17 years old, with a height of 6 feet and 0 inches.
The defender started his career at Girona in 2014 before moving to Barcelona in 2018. The defender has made 21 appearances so far since moving to Barcelona.
On January 19, 2024, Curbasi made his first team appearance as a substitute for Barcelona against Unionists de Salamanca in the Copa Del Rey.
His first start came against Real Betis on January 21, 2024.
What do you think about Pau's performance against Napoli? Air your views in the comment section.
The 17-year-old defender was vested with the responsibility of stopping one of the biggest strikers in Europe, Victor Osimhen.
The defender was able to achieve 100% tackles, 100% aerial duels, 90% pass accuracy, 61 completed passes, 5 clearances, and wasn't dribbled throughout the game.
Due to his impressive performance, Victor Osimhen was silenced in the game and got an overall rating of just 5.9.
Cubarsi was the youngest defender to have ever started a Champions League game. No single Napoli player was able to dribble past the Barcelona youngster, not even Osimhen who the Spanish defender marked throughout the game.
After the game, the defender was compared to former Barcelona captain Ronald Koeman. His performance won him the man of the match against Napoli.
The attributes of the 17-year-old defender were his ability to deliver the ball from the back and his calmness and tranquility on the pitch.
Due to his performance in the Champions League clash against Napoli, Xavi Hernandez is expected to start Curbasi in the upcoming match in La Liga when Barcelona plays against Atletico Madrid on March 17, 2024.
What Football Pundits Said About Pau Curbasi After His Exceptional Performance Against Napoli
Cubarsi did what he was expected to do, earning praise from different football pundits in the process.
Manchester United legend Owen Hargreaves, during his pundit duties, said, "This kid was picking out passes for fun. He made it look so easy. It was physical when he needed to be."
"For a Spanish center-back to be this physical against somebody like Osimhen is quite rare."
Furthermore, Hargreaves said, "He's 17, and this is his first start. He played ridiculously well; that is a star now, a star of the future."
"He’s obviously completely different from Puyol; Pique was brilliant, but I think his long-range passing is better than any of those. By far."
Another pundit, Glen Hoodle, showered praise on the 17-year-old defender. He said, "Incredible, incredible performance. We watched him all night, and I'm so impressed with him. His defensive work, It’s just top-quality. It’s like Ronald Koeman at his best, hitting passes like that. Incredible for 17."
Who is Pau Curbasi?
The defender was born on January 22, 2007, in the city of Bescano, Spain. He is currently 17 years old, with a height of 6 feet and 0 inches.
The defender started his career at Girona in 2014 before moving to Barcelona in 2018. The defender has made 21 appearances so far since moving to Barcelona.
On January 19, 2024, Curbasi made his first team appearance as a substitute for Barcelona against Unionists de Salamanca in the Copa Del Rey.
His first start came against Real Betis on January 21, 2024.
What do you think about Pau's performance against Napoli? Air your views in the comment section.