Pau Cubarsí: the youngest defender in the Champions League to provide an assist

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Pau Cubarsí became the youngest defender in UEFA Champions League history to provide an assist. It happened during the first leg of the quarter-finals between FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.

Cubarsí, at 18 years and 77 days old, assisted Raphinha to open the scoring, surpassing the previous record of Vincent Kompany, who achieved it at 18 years and 193 days old in October 2004 with Anderlecht.

Pau Cubarsí: Exponential evolution since his debut with Barça

From his debut in January 2024 to April 2025, Pau Cubarsí has shown an impressive evolution, establishing himself as one of the most promising defenders in world football. Next, we review his progress:

Cubarsí debuted with the first team of FC Barcelona in a Copa del Rey match against Unionistas de Salamanca on January 18, 2024, where he demonstrated maturity and quality from the beginning. Just two months later, he debuted in the UEFA Champions League against Napoli, being named MVP and setting records as the youngest defender to debut in the knockout stage.

In that match, the central defender of FC Barcelona stood out for his defensive solidity and leadership, leaving an immediate impression and establishing himself as one of the most important promises of the club. This achievement marked a milestone in his career and positioned him as an emerging talent internationally.

Consolidation of Pau Cubarsí as a starter in FC Barcelona

In the 2024-25 season, under the direction of Hansi Flick, Cubarsí has become an undisputed starter for the team. He has accumulated 48 appearances in all competitions, standing out for his defensive solidity and ability to distribute the ball.

His defensive statistics are outstanding: an average of 92% in passing accuracy and key contributions such as interceptions and clearances per game.

Pau Cubarsí: International impact and recent achievements

Cubarsí represented Spain in several youth categories and debuted with the senior national team in March 2024, becoming the youngest defender to play for Spain. In addition, he won the Olympic gold medal with the under-23 team at the 2024 Olympic Games.

In February 2025, Pau Cubarsí renewed his contract with Barcelona until 2029, with a release clause of €500 million, reflecting the confidence of the Azulgrana club in his potential. Cubarsí aspires to win important titles such as the Champions League and become a pillar for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. His evolution shows not only natural talent, but also an exceptional ability to adapt and excel at the highest level of world football.