A club psychologist helped Pau Cubarsí during his move towards Barcelona’s first team, he says. He has also sought therapy at times. Interviewed by Reuters journalist Fernando Kallas for a story published by The Star on 2 October 2026, the defender said players should be able to ask for help without fear of judgement. He sees value in professional support even before problems emerge.

An early route into senior football

Cubarsí made his competitive first-team debut for FC Barcelona on 18 January 2024. The club reports that the 16-year-old centre-back came on at half-time against Unionistas de Salamanca in a Copa del Rey match that Barcelona won 3–1. He had previously played in an unofficial friendly with the senior side. The cup match was his first competitive appearance.

In March 2024, he made his Champions League debut against Napoli. UEFA’s analysis of Barcelona’s 3–1 win focuses on his passing and composure on the ball. He made 13 passes through opposition lines, more than any other player in that match, and received the Player of the Match award.

Pressure, confidence and the next opportunity

Cubarsí told Reuters that pressure can help a player improve, while repeatedly dwelling on mistakes can become unhelpful. He places value on self-belief when things go wrong. His rapid rise, he says, should not set a timetable for anyone else. A player who does not get a first-team chance at 16 has not missed a deadline. At 20, there is still time to develop and to be ready when an opportunity comes.

Editorial suggestions for coaches and parents

The following are editorial suggestions, not advice from Cubarsí. When a young defender gives the ball away, a coach could offer a short instruction about covering the space left behind. The fuller conversation can wait until training, when the player has time to look at the passing options that were available.

Parents face a different moment on the journey home. An open question about what is still on the player’s mind may help more than an immediate analysis of the error. Some young people want to talk straight away; others need a pause. Later, they can consider what went well alongside what they would try differently next time. One misplaced pass need not define the whole match.

Coaches can keep discussions about progress close to the game itself. Did the player look for a teammate before passing? What happened after losing possession? The answers can shape the next training session. Cubarsí’s early debut gives other teenagers no timetable to follow.