Pau Cubarsí hates losing-whether it's on the football field, at home, or even in a game of billiards with his father. He traces this drive directly to his years at La Masia, Barcelona's academy, where competition is only part of the story.
For Cubarsí, the biggest shift wasn't about drills or tactics. It was about learning that a defender's job goes beyond stopping attacks. "At La Masia, I learned that a centre-back must help build the play, not just stop attacks," he says. This idea, drilled into him from the start, shaped how he plays: controlling the tempo, starting attacks, and reading the whole game instead of just reacting. In a UEFA interview on August 29, 2026, Cubarsí said these lessons still guide him as he heads into a new Champions League season under coach Hansi Flick.
"Pau Cubarsí joined La Masia from Girona on July 1, 2018, as a U12 player, marking the start of his journey through Barcelona's academy."
- FC Barcelona
But the academy's influence isn't just about football. Cubarsí points to the focus on personal growth: making friends, learning to cooperate, and taking responsibility. He sees football as a team effort, not a solo act. UEFA highlighted that Cubarsí dislikes losing "not only in football, but also in board games and billiards," and he connects this competitive streak to his time at Barcelona's academy.
Since joining Barcelona's first team, Cubarsí has noticed he's stronger, more experienced, and even more competitive. The jump from academy to senior squad has been tough, but he credits La Masia's all-around training for helping him adjust. "The academy made me stronger in every sense," he says, adding that what he learned as a youth player matters just as much at the top level. UEFA also noted that Cubarsí, who grew up in Vilablareix, made his senior debut for Barcelona in January 2024 at just 16 and has since grown in both experience and physicality.
"In September 2026, FC Barcelona listed Cubarsí among the nominees for the Ballon d'Or and Kopa Trophy, underscoring his status as one of the club's most important young players. The club also highlighted that both Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal, fellow La Masia graduates, played crucial roles in Barcelona's Supercopa de España and La Liga victories, as well as Spain's success at the World Cup."
- FC Barcelona
La Masia isn't just about producing talent. It's about building character. Cubarsí's story shows how the academy shapes players who can build from the back, lead by example, and refuse to accept defeat-on or off the pitch. While many clubs chase quick results, Barcelona's focus on this philosophy remains a real advantage. Cubarsí is the latest proof of that approach.
