Pau Cubarsi talks Inigo, Lamine, Flick, Mbappe, Huijsen, Barcelona form – ‘We’re human too’ | OneFootball

Speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi opened up on a plethora of topics, including the club’s recent form, the high defensive-line tactic, as well as the upcoming El Clasico where he will face Kylian Mbappe.

Cubarsi has been a permanent fixture in the team for Barcelona when fit and available, despite being 18 years old.

While his form has been generally solid, the team went into the international break on the back of consecutive losses against PSG and Sevilla.

On Barcelona’s recent form

Speaking about the two defeats and how manager Hansi Flick reckoned that the break would be good for the Barcelona players, Cubarsi noted:

“We came in with two defeats, which doesn’t usually happen, but I think this break will give us positive energy. It’ll also be good for disconnecting from football a bit and not thinking so much about what happened. I think that’s in the past.

“We have to face the future and we’ll come back with renewed energy to give it our all again.”

Cubarsi was vocal in his criticism of Barça’s lack of intensity in pressing from the front after the loss to Sevilla. When asked to elaborate on his thoughts, the youngster stated:

“Well, last year, what made us great and what made us win was all of us coming together and, above all, putting in the effort for the 90 minutes. I think we’re doing that this year too, but maybe in some games it didn’t work out as well as we wanted.

“We have to get back to the same dynamic, the positive dynamic, the good mentality to put in the effort for the 90 minutes and win games.”

Continuing, Cubarsi added: “We’re human too, and we can’t play 40 games with enough intensity. But I think we have to try harder and give our all.”

On what he took away from the two losses against PSG and Sevilla, the La Masia graduate said:

“I know they’re losses, but I think that even though it sounds bad, we can improve, especially in some aspects, especially in the Champions League and La Liga. If we look at the mistakes we’ve made, they can help us achieve great things.”

Barcelona lost to PSG and Sevilla. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

On Barcelona’s defensive make-up

Following the recent losses, there has been a lot of debate about Barcelona’s high-defensive line and whether the team needs to make some adjustments to the way they play.

Giving his thoughts on the same, Cubarsi said: “This is the philosophy the coach and staff instil in us. Last year, we did it the way he wanted, and it worked out well for us.

“I think we have to continue this dynamic this season, because if it worked out well for us last year, it can work out well for us this year too. We have to improve on some aspects, but the approach and the philosophy are already there.”

On whether he and Barcelona are missing the presence of Inigo Martinez, who left the club in the summer, the young centre-back added:

“Inigo, apart from on the pitch, was also like a captain without an armband. He helped me a lot because he had much more experience than me.

“But this year we also have good centre-backs; Eric, Andreas, and Ronald have already proven that they can play perfectly. Sometimes we all make mistakes, but everyone gives their all and tries their best for this club.”

Given the situation, though, Cubarsi has had to step up as the leader of the Barcelona defence, a challenge he is embracing with great spirit despite being 18 years old.

“I’m fine with it. I don’t think we should focus on age. If you’re on the pitch and playing, you have to improve things. I have to improve a little more to be a leader, and even though I’m young, I can push, I can give my all, and I’m trying,” he stated.

On what it takes to be the leader of Barcelona’s defence, he noted: “You have to have the character to help all your teammates and, above all, feel confident in yourself.”

Talking about the areas he needs to improve and the advice that manager Hansi Flick imparts, Cubarsi remarked:

“Everything always looks for the better. He always gives us a few tips on things that maybe didn’t go so well last year, and this year we need to improve them tactically. But I think we have to continue along the same lines as last year.”

On whether all the talk about wanting to win the UEFA Champions League is adding more pressure on the team, he said:

“No, no pressure. You’re already at this club and you already know you have to win everything. That should help us give our all in every game and competition.

“At this club, you have to try to win everything, of course, and we’re going to try. Sometimes it might work out, sometimes it doesn’t, but you have to give 100 per cent.”

On El Clasico, Mbappe, and Huijsen

Looking forward to the upcoming El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on 26 October, Cubarsi stated:

“Playing there is always spectacular. Every kid wants to play in a Clasico, especially with the club they’ve always loved. The Bernabeu has that added bonus because of the atmosphere it transmits.

Lamine vs Mbappe soon in the Clasico. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“I haven’t been able to experience the Camp Nou yet, but I’ll do soon. The Bernabeu has a lot to offer, a good Clasico, and everyone wants to play there. We’re going to give it our all.”

On what kind of Real Madrid he is expecting to face, after having beaten them four times last season, Cubarsi remarked:

“A Madrid like always: a tough opponent, who competes and demands 100 per cent from you. Last year’s games are in the past; they’re useless. We have to go out like we do every game, giving it our all, and trying to put in a good performance.”

Cubarsi will come up against one of the most lethal and in-form forwards in Europe in Kylian Mbappe. Having gone up against the Frenchman and having faced Lamine Yamal in training, the youngster was asked who between the two was harder to stop.

In response, he said: “Both. I’ve been with Lamine more in training; he always comes out on all sides, and Mbappe on the pitch too. I think they both make a real difference. They play a great role in each team and are both great players.”

Naming Mbappe as one of the toughest forwards he has ever faced, Cubarsi added: “Yes, especially because of his mobility and quality. It’s always complicated.”

The Barcelona youngster also commented on Dean Huijsen of Real Madrid and how the two of them have been tipped to become Spain’s centre-back pairing for the next decade or so.

“I don’t see it as a responsibility. Everyone has their own path. We’re both at an age of growth; we have to improve every day. I think we’re doing things right, and if we have the opportunity to play together for many years, go for it. If not, we’ll both fight,” he said.

On Lamine Yamal

Cubarsi has grown up watching Lamine Yamal’s development alongside him at La Masia. And the defender is ecstatic about how far the winger has come.

“When I arrived, Lamine was already at Barça. From a young age, you could see he was going to make it. I’m very happy about everything he’s been through, which hasn’t been easy,” the defender said.

“People think it’s easy to get there, but you don’t see the work that goes into it. I’m very happy for him.”

Regarding some of the criticism that has been levelled at Lamine, Cubarsi added: “Being so good and having so many people against him, there are always people who say things to discourage him, but he’s tough.

“He doesn’t have to play those games; he has to keep doing what he does: playing and being a good person.”

Cubarsi saw Lamine beat him to the Kopa Trophy prize both in 2024 and 2025, but is in contention to win the Golden Boy award this year.

“I always focus more on the team’s work and collective titles. If you do that well and are a great family, individual titles can come later,” he said on individual honours.

It’s recognition that you’re doing things right, but the important thing is the team, and I have to focus on that.”