Owen Hargreaves, a football pundit, has identified Pau Cubarsi as a potential future star for Barcelona following his standout performance in the team’s 3-1 victory over Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Barcelona, led by Xavi, managed to secure their spot in the Champions League quarter-final draw after a 1-1 draw in the first leg and subsequent goals from Fermin Lopez, Joao Cancelo, and Robert Lewandowski.
Cubarsi, making his debut in the Champions League at just 17 years old, showcased an impressive display, particularly in his confrontation against Napoli’s star striker Victor Osimhen. Hargreaves praised Cubarsi, highlighting his adept passing ability and physical presence, especially against a formidable opponent like Osimhen. He commended Cubarsi’s awareness and overall performance, emphasizing his potential as both a current and future star player for Barcelona.
Glenn Hoddle, former England manager and pundit alongside Hargreaves for TNT Sports, echoed the sentiment, describing Cubarsi’s performance as incredible and expressing admiration for his maturity and defensive prowess at such a young age. Hoddle emphasized Cubarsi’s ability to read the game, execute precise passes, and demonstrate defensive astuteness beyond his years, suggesting a promising future for the young talent.