Pau Cubarsi talks Lamine Yamal, Ter Stegen, Nico Williams – “I thought Nico was coming to Barcelona” | OneFootball

Barcelona are officially in pre-season mode, having already played two friendlies as part of their Asia tour.

Among the familiar faces and promising debutants, Pau Cubarsi, the teenage centre-back sensation, stood out once again. At just 18, he has become an indispensable name in the Blaugrana lineup, continuing from where he left off last season.

Speaking from Barça’s team hotel in Seoul to Cadena SER, Cubarsi reflected on the early days of pre-season, life in the dressing room, and even Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Cubarsi on pre-season, new signings and Lamine Yamal

Despite emerging as one of the most valuable defenders in Europe, Cubarsi remains calm and composed as ever.

Talking about his mental capacity during games, the youngster said, “I can’t remember the last time I got nervous. I’m calm and happy to be that way. I’ve always been that way, and my family considers me the same, so it may have come from that.”

The team has already played two friendlies in Asia, and the young defender feels the rhythm is slowly returning.

“Yesterday’s feeling was that we had a little more rhythm, as it was the second preseason game. We need to improve on some defensive aspects, but everything else is pretty good,” he said.

“We need to be more solid for more of the game and improve on the defensive aspect compared to last season, but in the end, we’re just starting out and there’s still a lot of room for improvement,” he added.

Barcelona’s tour has featured a mix of youth prospects and new signings, with Roony Bardghji, in particular, making quite the impact. Cubarsi welcomed the additions.

“I already had Joan Garcia as a teammate on the national team because I won Olympic gold with him, and I really like him.

“I’m also getting to know Rashford, although the communication problem hasn’t allowed us to talk much. We’re trying to build a team with all of them,” he said.

He also reserved praise for Lamine Yamal, who has become Barcelona’s number ten and has started pre-season on a positive note.

“Lamine is like that in every game; he does what he wants and plays like he’s in the schoolyard. It’s amazing that he’s at such a high level,” he said.

And while Yamal’s birthday made headlines across Spain, Cubarsi downplayed the noise.

“You guys talked more about Yamal’s birthday party than we did in the locker room. We thought it was normal, and we were there with him to celebrate his coming of age, so we’re happy for him. I was a little more formal, wearing a suit and being calm,” he added.

Cubarsi defends Yamal’s birthday bash (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Cubarsi on Ter Stegen

Cubarsi also went on to address the red-hot issue that is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, whose relations with Barcelona have hit rock bottom.

There have been talks of the German potentially being removed from captaincy as well, with Gavi emerging as a fan-favourite to replace him.

Cubarsi, though, did not speak ill of ter Stegen and reiterated that he is still the captain of the team.

“Ter Stegen is our captain and we’re happy with him. He’s always helped me when I started with the first team. We’re happy he’s with us,” he said.

“We’ve encouraged him, and he’s encouraged us as a group this preseason. He’s the captain, we respect him, and we’re very happy with him,” he added.

“For now, Ter Stegen is our captain, and we see him as the captain he is. He’s been here for many years and knows this subject a lot, so he can help us a lot in every aspect because he’s also been around a little longer than us.

“After all, he’s won a Champions League title, so for us, he’s number one,” he further added.

When it comes to leadership in the locker room, though, Cubarsi pointed towards Inigo Martinez.

“My relationship with Iñigo Martínez is very good; in the end, I think it’s crucial. He’s always helped me a lot. I see him as a future captain because of his leadership and character,” he said.

Cubarsi on UCL, unregistered players and Nico Williams

Barcelona’s early Champions League exit last season still lingers in players’ minds, which was something admitted by Gavi too recently.

“The Champions League left us with a slightly bitter taste in our mouths because we couldn’t reach the final, but we can’t just rest on that. I think this season is magnificent, and we have to give it our all to match or surpass it,” he said about the UCL heartbreak.

Pau Cubarsi is ready for next season (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Cubarsi also responded to Real Madrid’s request to postpone the first matchday due to fixture congestion.

“This situation is understandable because they have a heavier load of matches and less rest, but in the end, we don’t focus on our opponents. We just do our thing.

“The next Club World Cup is a long way off in four years, so let’s focus first on the start of this season,” he replied.

Cubarsi also talked about Barcelona’s unregistered players dilemma, but admitted he is not worried.

“We don’t pay much attention to that issue. We know the club is going to register them, and they’re calm. We need them to form a big family and be united,” he said.

He also spoke about adjusting the team’s defensive approach as matches progress.

“The coach’s philosophy when he came was what it is. At the beginning, we were a little more disoriented, and the opponents started to catch us out.

“This year, it’s the same philosophy, but we still have to consider what minute we’re in to adjust where we draw the line a little,” he added.

Finally, Cubarsi talked about Nico Williams and his failed transfer to Barcelona, even admitting that he expected the youngster to join the club.

“I thought Nico Williams was going to come to Barça, given all the rumours. We can be happy with the replacements they’ve signed.

“We haven’t talked that much in the national team locker room either. Nico hasn’t asked me much about Barcelona, maybe he talked to Lamine about this,” he concluded.