The Best Gift! Pau Cubarsí Celebrates His 18th Birthday with Victory in Lisbon

FC Barcelona celebrated the historic comeback in Lisbon against Benfica (4-5) in grand style. In addition to securing direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, the team took the opportunity to celebrate Pau Cubarsí's 18th birthday in the best way possible, as he reaches adulthood with a total of 54 official appearances for the first team.

Pau made his debut with the Barça jersey on January 18, 2024, in a match against Unionistas de Salamanca in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey (1-3). Since then, he has become one of the team's key players, partnering with Ronald Araujo and Iñigo Martínez in the center of the defense. Notably, on Tuesday he reached 2,449 minutes played in the 2024-25 season (he has participated in all matches of the season, with only 3 being as a substitute).

The Future of Cubarsí is Secured in Barcelona

After the victory in Lisbon, the Estanyol native stated that, without a doubt, Tuesday was "the craziest match he has ever experienced" in his budding career. Additionally, the young player praised the team's reaction. "We are all very happy because we brought out the soul we had inside," Pau said. The center-back, like other key players in the squad, will need to review his contract in the coming months, according to what was agreed upon after his renewal last May.

However, the future of the academy graduate is by no means at risk. Pau signed until June 2027 and his release clause went from 10 to 500 million euros, a value that will double this summer, along with a significant adjustment in the player's salary. Cubarsí is set to be the leader of the Barça defense for the next decade, a role he has already been fulfilling since before reaching adulthood.