‘I like to assume the role of leader’: Cubarsi talks Lewandowski, Pique, Champions League, Spain, World Cup | OneFootball

FC Barcelona players form the single biggest contingent from any club in the Spanish national team heading to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and most of them will even feature as starters.

In defence, two players are called up by Luis de la Fuente – Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsi. While the former’s call-up was a welcome surprise, the latter’s was always on the cards.

After all, Cubarsi has already established himself as one of the most talented young players in the world in his position, and it will not be surprising if he is handed a starting role in the World Cup as well.

Cubarsi’s interview

Cubarsi spoke to the Esquire magazine (h/t SPORT) recently where he commented on his short career so far and how it felt to be playing at such an elite level at a young age.

He began by outlining the pressure that comes with playing for Barcelona and how it was a welcome challenge for him.

“There is pressure, but it is a pressure that is felt daily to always try to do things as well as possible. We are one of the best teams in the world, for me the best,” he said.

Ready to step up as a leader. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

He then explained how mere participation was not enough for him and how he seeks a leadership role.

“I like to assume the role of leader, to be the partner who helps his colleagues. The central defender sees the whole field and that already gives you some authority. You must be aware if someone needs help,” he noted.

On his debut and idols

Cubarsi then spoke on his debut with the first-team and the moment he knew that he had made it to the senior side for good.

“When you debut, you do not only debut, but you see that they continue to allow you to continue playing,” the youngster remarked.

“Then you realise, ‘I’m playing with the first Barça team!’, something I have been chasing for years,” he added.

He then revealed how it was always a dream of his to play with the senior Barcelona side.

“I’m the boy who always dreamed of wearing the Barça shirt.”

The youngster then spoke about his idol, Gerard Pique, and the similarities he sees between his game and the club legend’s.

“We have that similarity of always trying to get the clean ball from behind.”

Cubarsi also then spoke on how Robert Lewandowski was a massive role model for him and helped him grow as a player, saying:

“He was one of my idols as a child and, in the end, I have had the opportunity to share the locker room with him.”

Cubarsi enjoyed sharing a dressing room with Lewandowski. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

“Training with him makes you a better defender,” he added.

On La Liga and the UEFA Champions League

The youngster then outlined the importance of La Liga and how the tournament is not as simple to win as it appears from the outside.

“It is the competition that makes you spend all year giving your highest level. It is the prize for regularity.”

On winning two back-to-back league titles, the defender said: “[It’s] something incredible.”

He then gave his two cents on the UEFA Champions League, a competition the team still has not decoded yet under Hansi Flick.

“The Champions League is the biggest of them all, and the Culés want it back.”

Finally, he was asked how it felt to be competing for the FIFA World Cup with a squad largely similar to that which he played with in La Liga and the UCL until recently.

“They are two very familiar squads. We are very close and I think that can make a difference when it comes to fighting for a title.”

“[To] try to win everything,” he added, was the team’s objective.

On the World Cup

Excited for the World Cup. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

In the final segment of his interview, the player was asked about the upcoming FIFA World Cup and his expectations for the event. He began by explaining how it felt to be in the World Cup squad at such a young age.

“Most likely at that time I would not have believed it,” he said, admitting his younger self would not believe it.

“Having the possibility of going to a senior World Cup is something spectacular,” he added.

When asked how he would react if he were given the chance to make his debut in the competition, Cubarsi said,

“I will jump quietly, being myself and willing to enjoy it, aware of everything I have been through to get there.”

On Spain’s chances in the event, the young defender concluded saying,

“We don’t feel like favourites, but we are Spain, one of the best teams in the world. We are at the ‘top’ of the ‘top’.”