Barcelona vs PSG: What do Puyol and Mascherano think about the ‘star’ Cubarsí and the news of La Masía culé?

In the week of the return of the quarterfinals of the current Champions League, two ‘champions’ with multiple ‘Orejonas’ in their honors walk through Lima with the mythical trophy in their suitcases. The Spanish Carles Puyol and the Argentine Javier Mascherano set foot in the Peruvian capital as part of the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tourwhich has already passed through countries like Colombia and Ecuador, and will then continue on its way to Chile and Argentina.

Taking advantage of the stay of both legends of the UEFA club tournament, El Comercio found them at a press conference in San Isidro in which they only answered questions about the contest.

• In the first leg of the Champions League key between Barcelona and PSG, the performance of Pau Cubarsí, a 17-year-old youth player who has earned a starting position in Xavi’s team, stood out.
• Does both the presence of Cubarsí and the performances of Lamine Yamal prove that La Masía del Barcelona continues to be one of the best youth teams in the world?

The youth squad of the moment

The first question addressed the debut and performance of Pau Cubarsí in the last two months at FC Barcelona. The culé youth player is the fashionable jewel in the Barza World. He played his first game with the main team on January 18 of this year (3-1 victory over Unionistas de Salamanca, 45 minutes on the court). Four later he turned 17 years old. On the 27th he entered the painful defeat against Villarreal 3-5 at home, and since then he has not left Xavi Hernández’s starting team.

To date, he has completed 16 games (13 starts) and today he will be a regular starter in the second leg against PSG in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. In the first leg, with a full Cubarsi, Barcelona came back 3-2 at the Parc des Princes.

What did Puyol and Mascherano respond about Cubarsí?

Carles: Well, the truth is that it is a surprise that a 17-year-old boy has the performance that Pau is having. He is a great player. Very complete. He adapts perfectly to the idea of ​​the club, which is to go out with the ball. But, then, defensively and tactically he is very good. When he has to go to the crash he does it very well. In the last few games he has played very well. Every time he gains more confidence, he grows. And I wish him the best for everything he is experiencing and happy as a culé because I think we have a defender for many years. A boy of the house.

Javier: It’s a great appearance. It is not easy to play at this level and in this club (Barcelona) at that young age (17 years old). We will have to see how it continues to evolve. Many times players appear at a high peak and it is the issue of maintaining themselves. That’s why we always say that the most difficult thing is not to get there but to stay there, and especially at a high level. He has shown more than enough that he has the level to do it, it will depend on him.

The home school

We can list them to speak with substance. How many youth players aged 20 or younger train with Barcelona’s main team today? Let’s count. The goalkeepers Ander Astralaga (20) and the American with Peruvian roots Diego Kochen (18). Defenders Alejandro Balde (20), Pau Cubarsí (17), Héctor Fort (17) and Mikayil Faye (19). The midfielders Gavi (19), Fermín (20), Casadó (20), Garrido (20), Unai Hernández (19) and Pau Prim (18). And the forwards, Vitor Roque (19), Lamine Yamal (16, Alarcón (19) and Marc Guiu (18).

There are a total of 16 footballers from a squad of 35 members, which represents 45.7% of youth players.

What do Puyol and Mascherano think about the current situation at La Masía?

Carles: The work done in the formations is impressive, not only with Pau (Cubarsí) but with other homegrown players who are on the team today. They are saving us because in this time of financial scarcity, having these players come out and give this performance immediately is not easy and I think it is fortunate to have the quarry that we have.

Javier: Recently, for different reasons, Barcelona had to resort to its youth divisions. They have always had very good players. But well, in this case, not only the moment that these guys are going through that makes them play but also for me the courage of the coach (Xavi Hernández) in putting them on. Because it is not only about having good players but there has to be a coach who is brave and gives them space. Clearly, there is the case of Pau because the other day Christensen could play calmly, but Xavi does not look at the document number but rather at what benefits him the most.