Pau Cubarsi talks World Cup, pressure and attitude on the field: ‘I put pressure on myself’ | OneFootball

Barcelona star Pau Cubarsi is a part of Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the FIFA World Cup, and likely not just as a bench player.

Given the form the player has been in for club and the exclusion of key players like Dean Huijsen and Robin Le Normand owing to poor form, the young star has a massive chance of being a starter for his country in the premier event.

Needless to say, it is a massive opportunity and responsibility for Cubarsi, who will be playing the biggest tournament of his life in just a matter of days.

Cubarsi speaks on pressure and attitude

The Barcelona defender spoke to MARCA in a recent interview on duty with the Spanish national team where he opened up on a plethora of topics including how he deals with pressure.

Speaking specifically about his mechanism to cope with the immense pressure he faces, the defender said,

“I don’t feel any external pressure. I put pressure on myself, and it’s only to become a better player.”

Cubarsi had a great season for Barcelona. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

“I feel the responsibility of playing for the best club in the world, where everything is closely watched, but I never feel restricted or intimidated by it. If I want to go somewhere, I feel completely free to do so,” he added.

The player then opened up on the good values that were inculcated into him at a young age and who he credits for the same.

“My family, my representatives, my friends, and the people who have been around me since I was very young and have seen me grow up. They are the ones who make sure to remind me where I come from and who I am.”

“I place great importance on the values I learned at home: being myself, staying grounded, and above all being kind and a good person. That’s what I aspire to be. The person who best represents all of these ideals is my father. I’ve always seen him as a role model,” he added.

Speaking on his hobbies off the field and what the teenager does with his spare time, Cubarsi revealed he was a fan of books and cinema.

“Lately I’ve really gotten into the Harry Potter series. I started it recently and loved it. At first, I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it. I read the books and assumed the film adaptations could never live up to them.”

“But in the end, I watched them and absolutely loved them. I also find myself returning often to Interstellar which has a fantastic soundtrack,” he added.

Finally, he was asked to describe himself on the pitch in brief, to which he added that there was not much difference in his attitude on and off the field.

“I consider myself the same person on and off the field: someone who has clear ideas and steps onto the pitch without any pressure.”

“I’m simply focused on giving everything I have, while maintaining the calmness that is necessary to play from the back,” he added.

On the World Cup

The teenage sensation then opened up on what it meant to be playing in the FIFA World Cup at such a young age, that too likely as a starting player.

“Being part of the World Cup is a dream come true. I think we are a big family, a very good team that always looks for what is best for our teammates rather than individual rewards.”

Set to be a starter?. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Elaborating on what made the Spanish side special and a tightly-knit unit, the Barcelona star said,

“We move forward together, and I believe that is what ultimately helps you win trophies and matches. It’s very important to understand each other as a family.”

“You have to spend almost a month with people you may not know well, but experience helps you get to know them better and understand what they need and want,” he added.

He concluded by emphasising the importance of having each other’s backs in a long and tiring event like the World Cup.

“Looking for what is best for them, as well as for yourself and the team, makes a huge difference.”