Young midfielder Pau Cubarsi was Barcelona’s best player in the 3-1 victory over Napoli in the second leg of the 1/8 round of the Champions League, which helped the team advance to the quarterfinals of this competition for the first time in four years.

Pau Cubarsi received the MVP title the first time he played in the Champions League. Photo: The Athletic

During the victory over Napoli, Barcelona supporters shouted “Cu, Cu, Cubarsi!” aloud several times from the stands at Montjuic Stadium. For the 17-year-old midfielder, it was a unique experience as he inhaled the UEFA Champions League air for the first time.

A young player like Cubarsi would often substitute himself if he is able to play in the Champions League knockout stage. Nonetheless, Pau Cubarsi and veteran Ronald Araujo were assigned to the starting lineup. In the realm of sports, this is not something that is commonly observed, but Barca paid for their rιsk-taking. The fact that this morning star is the winner of “Best Player of the Match” is the best evidence.

Pau Cubarsi gave Victor Osimhen a hard time on the away field. Photo: AFP

Xavi selected the team’s central defensive duo of Ronald Araujo and Inigo Martinez for the first leg in Italy. The captain of Spain had a different opinion than me when it came to the rematch. This is hazardous since Barca would not collect the extra of 10.6 million euros for making it to the quarterfinals if they do not defeat Napoli.

This is how much Barca “added in advance” for revenue in 2024 last year. If this strategy fails, not only will the team forfeit the remaining funds on the budget, but Xavi will be able to take off without having to pay for it. As mentioned earlier, hold off until the conclusion of the season.

Cubarsi’s sparring matches with the opposition’s best striker, Victor Osimhen, were the highlights of his performance. Cubarsi not only made Napoli’s attacker “lose power,” but he also made a lot of long passes across the line to give the midfielders attacking energy. Such comprehensiveness has been rare in recent years from Barca midfielders.

Pau Cubarsi’s accurate passes in the match against Napoli (89%). Photo: The Athletic

“My heart rate doesn’t spike when Cubarsi has the ball at his feet. That boy is so precious, that’s the best version of him.

Cubarsi never panicked when Napoli pressured the field, constantly looking for the best path out. After the game, Xavi posted, “We can see that breakthrough—he is improving every day.”

Cubarsi is more than ten years older and stronger when he plays on the field. But in the post-match interviews, they noticed that this was a really shy and youthful man. The 17-year-old midfielder was unable to look away when it came time to hold the MVP trophy in his hands because he likely couldn’t believe such amazing outcomes would come from his Champions League debut.

“We used the pressure to drive ourselves to victory. I believe that this is an individual game, and in order to win, I must remain composed. Fortunately, I am skilled at doing things correctly” – Cubarsi share.

Numerous players hurried to embrace Cubarsi in celebration after the game. The Athletic said that a seasoned Spanish journalist who was there at the stadium stated that Pau Cubarsi resembles Gerard Pique in many ways, but that at the age of 17, Pique was unable to perform as well as the current Cubarsi.

Barca has entered the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in 4 years. Photo: UEFA

A triumph that embodies La Masia and the recent games as well. Even if Xavi departs at the conclusion of this season, he won’t be viewed as a failure because of players like Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal. More precious than the silver awards he won in the last two years is the legacy he left behind.