Just like it is the case at FC Barcelona, places are often limited at the highest level of football in various places. Especially when it comes to international football, the places in any given senior squad are extremely limited. Even if a player excels with Barcelona, fighting for their place elsewhere is a different battle.
While the likes of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Ferran Torres already represent Barcelona within the Spanish National team quite well and prominently, there are others who would be wanting an opportunity there as well given that their performances would entertain such an expectation.
One player whose chance with the senior Spanish National team was just barely missed was Pau Cubarsi. Ahead of the European Championship in the summer, the young Spanish defender was in the initial squad to take part in the competition but was ultimately left out of it.
Instead, he played with the Spain team that took on the challenge of the Summer Olympics in Paris and won a Gold Medal in football for his country. A huge achievement in its own right, but Cubarsi’s eyes will definitely be set on making a name for himself with the senior team led by Luis de la Fuente.
Fortunately for him, as highlighted by SPORT, he may get his opportunity quite soon. In the latest match against Switzerland, one that Spain won convincingly with a 4-1 scoreline to their name, Spanish defender Robin Le Normand ended up picking a red card quite early on in the game.
As a consequence of this, there is an extra spot up for grabs in the senior men’s team for Spain ahead of their next game against Denmark in October. That game, also a part of the UEFA Nations League, could be a golden ticket of sorts for Pau Cubarsi as Spain will battle the Danes for top spot in their group.
A jump from the Under-21 team to the senior Spain team could be up for grabs for the 17-year-old Barcelona defender and it will be an opportunity that he may not want to miss. In case he ends up getting the call, he would have his chance to impress the coach enough to become a mainstay in the team as well.
However, it is also true that Cubarsi will have competition from other defenders fighting for that place as well. Athletic Club’s Dani Vivian would be a good shout given that he was the player to replace Le Normand against Switzerland in Spain’s most recent outing.
Yet, Cubarsi’s quality remains undeniable and he is already turning heads as a regular starter for Barcelona. Knowing that Lamine Yamal is already breaking records despite his young age, perhaps Cubarsi’s own age may ultimately not end up holding him back as much as people might assume.
