Barcelona surprised everyone when their young stars had to wait until the World Cup
Pau Cubarsi, the best young player of the 2026 World Cup, is facing frustration from his teammates because his talent is not recognized promptly. His impressive performance has raised concerns about his workload in the new season.
Barcelona surprised when young stars had to wait until the World Cup
According to Sports.
Context
Pau Cubarsi, at the age of 19, has established himself as one of the most important players of FC Barcelona and Spain. After shining at the 2026 World Cup, he is expected to continue to develop and contribute to the team next season. The frustration from his teammates shows that they recognize his talent and want him to be recognized as he deserves.
Why this is important
Pau Cubarsi proved his talent at the 2026 World Cup, where he was named Best Young Player. However, this recognition came late, making his teammates at FC Barcelona feel frustrated, as they believed that he had shown impressive performance for a long time. This not only affects Cubarsi's psychology but can also affect the team's preparation for the new season.
Main point
- Barcelona surprised when young stars had to wait until the World Cup.
- Pau Cubarsi, the best young player at the 2026 World Cup, is facing frustration from his teammates because his talent is not recognized promptly.
- Barcelona surprised teenage rising star had to wait until the World Cup for long-deserved recognition - Yahoo Sports.
In the process of preparing for the new season, FC Barcelona is having difficulty missing a number of key players, including eight players from the Spanish team that won the 2026 World Cup. Players such as Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres have made important contributions, but Pau Cubarsi is Barcelona's best player at this tournament and was named the Best Young Player of the tournament.
According to information from Mundo Deportivo, in Barcelona's dressing room, there is growing frustration about the recognition of Cubarsi's progress. Many of his teammates believe that this player has shown excellent performance throughout the past season and cannot understand why widespread recognition only came after he shone with the Spain team.
The World Cup certainly boosted Cubarsi's international reputation, as he was named Best Young Player of the tournament. However, those at the club feel that his quality has been clear for some time.
As the season prepares to kick off, no one needs to be managed more carefully than Cubarsi, who has enjoyed an outstanding season as he cements his place as one of the most important players for both Barcelona and Spain. The 19-year-old played every possible minute for Spain throughout the World Cup. His total playing time is up to 857 minutes, the most among any player in the tournament. His volume of work is astonishing. Since the start of the 2025-26 season, the 19-year-old has played nearly 5,200 minutes in 62 matches for club and country, making him one of the busiest players in Europe.
According to FIFA data, Cubarsi also ranked fourth in the list of players who ran the most at the World Cup, with about 86 km measured during the tournament. Spain's controlled style of play eases the workload somewhat, with an average of 3.9km of walking and 3.7km of running per match, but the physical demands are still enormous. Notably, since his debut with Barcelona's first team, Cubarsi has never missed a match due to injury. The only match he did not participate in for Spain was due to mild discomfort in his ankle. After one of the busiest and most successful seasons of his young career, Barcelona's top priority is now to ensure that one of their brightest talents has the necessary rest and recovery time before a challenging new season begins.
What happens next
With the new season approaching, FC Barcelona needs to manage Pau Cubarsi carefully to ensure he can continue to perform at a high level. Recognition from the World Cup may give him more confidence, but pressure from teammates and expectations from fans will also increase. If Cubarsi maintains his form, he can become an important pillar for both Barcelona and the Spanish team in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pau Cubarsi do at the 2026 World Cup?
Pau Cubarsi was named the tournament's Best Young Player.
Why wasn't Pau Cubarsi recognized before the World Cup?
Many of Cubarsi's teammates in the Barcelona dressing room felt frustrated because the recognition only came after he shone at the World Cup.
Who confirmed Pau Cubarsi's progress?
Information about Pau Cubarsi's progress was confirmed by teammates and the press, specifically Mundo Deportivo.
Why did recognition come late for Pau Cubarsi?
The recognition came late because although Cubarsi had shown excellent form throughout the season, his prominence was only noticed after his success at the World Cup.
How many minutes did Pau Cubarsi play in the World Cup?
Pau Cubarsi played a total of 857 minutes, the most of any player in the tournament.
Related articles
Teams
Players