Pau Cubarsí’s day starts early. He trains at FC Barcelona in the morning, then rushes to high school from mid-afternoon to evening. “I’m in the second year of high school,” he said last October, “and if I miss class for a Champions League match or because I’m traveling, I ask for notes the next day.” It’s a balancing act that most 18-year-olds never experience, yet he seems to handle it with calm assurance.
On Monday, Barcelona announced they’ve extended his contract until June 2029, ensuring the defender remains at Camp Nou for the foreseeable future. Club president Joan Laporta and the front office see him as an essential piece of their future, and they’ve backed that conviction with a release clause of about $1.09 billion.
“Not only is he a resolute defender, which goes with the territory,” reads a statement from the club, “but he reads the game very well and can play line-breaking passes worthy of the best midfielders.” Those who watch him closely aren’t surprised. In just 60 first-team appearances since his debut in January 2024, Cubarsí has shown a composed style that belies his age.
A bright future on and off the field
Cubarsí may be tasked with shutting down the opposition’s best forwards, but he’s just as committed to his schoolwork. That dual focus reflects Barcelona’s long-standing mission to nurture well-rounded athletes. “Cubarsí is 100% Barça, and he is set to remain so for many years more,” the club added. Fans appreciate his dedication, while critics admire how quickly he’s become a staple in Hansi Flick’s starting eleven.
Questions linger about who will partner him in central defense down the road, yet there’s little doubt he’ll remain a mainstay. Some even consider him to be among the best center-backs of his generation. For now, the man himself is simply looking to keep growing—both in the classroom and on the pitch. His schedule might be hectic, but his ambitions are crystal clear. He’s here to stay.
