Barcelona wonderkid closing in on major Champions League record – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have been fortunate to possess an academy like La Masia, which has produced numerous world-class talents for the first team. At a time when the club’s finances have taken a hit, it is the academy that has helped them pull through.

Among the recent talents to emerge, two of the finest are Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi. The latter, in particular, plays as a centre-back—a position where players typically mature with age.

The Spaniard, however, despite being just 18, plays with a level of understanding that belies his tender years. According to Mundo Deportivo, if he features against Club Brugge, he will be on the verge of breaking yet another record.

Cubarsi could become only the third player in football, after Warren Zaïre-Emery and Lamine Yamal, to reach 20 appearances in the prestigious Champions League before turning 19. The PSG midfielder has 31 appearances, while Lamine has 25.

The 18-year-old did not start against Elche at the weekend due to some discomfort, but having trained normally in the build-up to the Brugge clash, it would be a surprise if Flick does not hand him a start.

Both Cubarsi and Lamine have made a habit of breaking age-related records. Considering the potential both Barcelona prodigies possess, there is little doubt that by the time they hang up their boots, they could challenge all-time appearance records in the competition.

It remains to be seen whether Cubarsi gets the nod today. Let’s hope he has a strong game and continues to break more records in the years ahead.