Owen Hargreaves Praises Barcelona’s Future Star, Pau Cubarsi, for Exceptional Performance Against Napoli
Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday evening saw the emergence of a new star. Pau Cubarsi, a 17-year-old center-back, made his Champions League debut and delivered a brilliant performance against Napoli’s star striker, Victor Osimhen. His exceptional display caught the attention of former England manager Glenn Hoddle and pundit Owen Hargreaves, who both praised Cubarsi for his maturity and skill on the pitch.
Cubarsi’s performance was crucial for Barcelona in securing their place in the quarter-finals. After drawing 1-1 with Napoli in the first leg, goals from Fermin Lopez, Joao Cancelo, and Robert Lewandowski ensured their victory. However, it was Cubarsi’s defensive prowess that stole the show.
Hargreaves, speaking to TNT Sports after the match, described Cubarsi as the star of the show. He commended the young center-back for his ability to pick out passes effortlessly and his physicality against a striker like Osimhen. Hargreaves also highlighted Cubarsi’s awareness and overall performance, considering it exceptional for a 17-year-old making his first start.
Hoddle echoed Hargreaves’ sentiments, stating that he was incredibly impressed by Cubarsi’s performance. He pointed out the quality of Cubarsi’s passing and his maturity as a defender, noting that he played well beyond his age. Hoddle described Cubarsi as shrewd and praised his ability to cut across opponents and use his body effectively.
Both Hargreaves and Hoddle agreed that Cubarsi has a bright future ahead of him. Hargreaves even compared him to Barcelona legends Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, stating that Cubarsi’s long-range passing surpasses both of them. They believe that his performance in a knockout game at such a young age is rare and indicative of his potential to become a star.
Barcelona fans and football enthusiasts alike will be eagerly watching Cubarsi’s development in the coming years. With his impressive debut in the Champions League, he has already shown that he has what it takes to make a name for himself on the big stage. As Barcelona progresses in the tournament, all eyes will be on Cubarsi to see if he can continue to shine.
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