Pau Cubarsí experienced a very special day on Tuesday in Guadalajara. Although Hansi Flick included him in his rotation plan for FC Barcelona's debut in the 2025-26 Copa del Rey, Marc Bernal's early booking meant the manager called upon the '5' at halftime to readjust the Blaugrana's defense.
With Cubarsí coming on for Bernal after the break, **Eric García** moved to the pivot position and the player from Estanyol partnered Andreas Christensen in the center. In this way, Pau reached his centenary with the Barça first team, celebrated with a hard-fought victory (0-2) that secured qualification for the Copa del Rey round of 16 on a historic date, as it marked Barça's first visit to Guadalajara
Cubarsí Makes History at Barcelona at Just 18 Years Old
The defender also became the second youngest player to reach 100 official matches for Barça. At 18 years, 10 months, and 24 days old, Cubarsí only has Lamine Yamal ahead of him on the list, who celebrated his centenary for the Blaugrana at just 17 years, 9 months, and 17 days in the draw against Inter (3-3) in the 24/25 Champions League semi-finals
The curious thing about Pau's 100th game is that it also took place in a Copa del Rey match. The player from Estanyol made his debut with the first team on January 18, 2024, in the 1-3 victory against Unionistas de Salamanca in the round of 16. The defender played the second half and provided an assist, definitively earning the trust of Xavi Hernández.
In the next match, the Egara-born coach gave him his league debut at the Benito Villamarín against **Betis** (2-4), playing 81 minutes in the Barça victory. Since then, Cubarsí became a regular for Xavi, a status he has maintained with Hansi Flick on the bench. Alongside Iñigo Martínez, he was the most reliable center-back for the German in 24/25
After the Basque's departure, Pau inherited his '5' jersey and has already accumulated 1,593 minutes of action in 20 games this season. After the victory in Guadalajara, the defender expressed his satisfaction and pride at reaching 100 games with Barça in less than 2 years.
"I am very happy about my 100 official matches with the club of my life. I debuted in the Copa del Rey and now I close the circle in the Copa del Rey, and I hope there will be many more," said the Spanish international at the end of the match. In his 100 appearances with the first team, the center-back has scored 1 goal, provided 5 assists, received 20 yellow cards, and has not been sent off in 7,733 minutes on the field.
| GP | G | A | YC | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 7,733 |
- PJ: games played
- G: goals
- A: assists
- TA: yellow cards
- MIN: minutes played
The five youngest players to reach 100 games with Barça
- Lamine Yamal: 17 years and 293 days - April 30, 2025 vs Inter (3-3) in Champions.
- Pau Cubarsí: 18 years and 329 days - December 16, 2025 vs Guadalajara (0-2) in Copa del Rey.
- Gavi: 19 years and 30 days - September 03, 2023 vs Osasuna (1-2) in LaLiga.
- Bojan Krkic: 19 years and 84 days - September 22, 2009 vs Racing (1-4 in LaLiga).
- Pedri: 20 years and 66 days - September 18, 2024 vs Valencia (1-2) in LaLiga.
Against Guadalajara, Pau Cubarsí completed an almost perfect second half. **The 5' made 58 successful passes in 61 attempts (95%)**, in addition to making a couple of clearances and recoveries. He also executed 3 defensive actions and won a single ground duel, without committing fouls and drawing one in 45 minutes.
Against Villarreal, next Sunday, he will probably return to the XI alongside his partner in recent weeks, Gerard Martín. Eric García will probably continue in midfield.