Cubarsi talks Yamal, Vinicius, Rodri, Puyol, Pique – ‘He can win the Ballon d’Or’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s young defender Pau Cubarsi has shared his high hopes for his teammate Lamine Yamal, expressing that he firmly believes the forward has what it takes to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

Yamal, a star in the making, has showcased exceptional skills, catching the attention of fans and critics alike and according to Cubarsi, his abilities on the field are a rare mix, and he possesses the talent needed to reach the pinnacle of individual football awards.

“Lamine Yamal can win the Ballon d’Or. Everyone now sees who Lamine is, but I’ve known him for a long time. He has the skill set required to achieve it,” he told RAC1.

Thoughts on Ballon d’Or drama

Pau Cubarsi believes Lamine Yamal can win the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Cubarsi also reflected on his recent experience attending the Ballon d’Or Gala. The event, which celebrates the world’s top footballers, gave him a chance to see the impressive level of competition up close.

Speaking specifically about Vinicius Jr., he noted that making it into the top 10 or even the top 20 in Ballon d’Or rankings is a remarkable achievement for any footballer.

He mentioned that, while Vinicius is a phenomenal talent, the competition was incredibly close, especially with players like Rodri also in the mix.

“Being among the top 10 or 20 of the Ballon d’Or is already a good prize and a footballer needs to be there.

“Dani Olmo and I were there without winning it. I was not surprised that Vinicius did not win, he was very even with Rodri,” he noted.

Offside traps and idols

Pau Cubarsi idolises Puyol and Pique. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Cubarsi then shared insights into Barcelona’s defensive strategies, highlighting the importance of communication in executing an effective offside trap.

He pointed out that the Barça defence relies heavily on seamless coordination to catch opponents offside, a skill that has become a key strength for the team.

“It is a matter of communication,” he stated.

He also named two legendary defenders as his role models: Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. Although he did not have the chance to watch Puyol’s career in detail, Puyol’s dedication to Barcelona left a lasting impression on him.

Pique, too, serves as a guiding figure for Cubarsi, despite having a brief stint at Manchester United before returning to Barcelona to become a club icon.

“[My role models are] Puyol and Pique, although I didn’t see Puyol play much. I hope I can spend my entire career at Barça like them, even though Gerard was only at Manchester United for a short time at the beginning,” he said.