Cubarsi: From a laughable clause to a forbidden fruit
Just nine months ago, transatlantic clubs like City were clamouring to secure the Estanyol man, whose release clause was very low; Barca had been setting the pace so well that he didn't even hesitate.
The cule can now breathe easy. Pau Cubarsi, who just turned 18 and is already among the best centre-backs in the world, is set to remain a long-term part of Barca. This Thursday, he signed an extension until 2029, with Joan Laporta beaming alongside one of the finest products to emerge from La Masia in recent times.
What the Estanyol man has achieved in just over a year, since making his debut last January 2024 in Salamanca, is astounding. Burning through developmental phases non-stop and quickly establishing himself as an undisputed starter in the heart of the defence of one of the most demanding clubs in the world – you have to be made of special stuff. And both Pau and Lamine Yamal, as Deco himself told SPORT this week, are rare breeds.
