Pau Cubarsí Says Defenders Deserve More Recognition in Football
Spain and Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí says football awards and fans often give more attention to attackers than to defenders. He understands why goals and assists attract attention, but argues that defensive work deserves greater recognition too. Cubarsí, 19, won the 2026 Golden Boy award on November 9, becoming only the second defender to receive it after Matthijs de Ligt in 2018. He was also the highest-ranked centre-back in the recent Ballon d’Or voting, finishing 12th, and came second in the Kopa Trophy behind teammate Lamine Yamal. He said his comments were not a personal complaint, but a call for defenders to receive the credit they deserve for their contribution to the team. Cubarsí also helped Spain win the 2026 World Cup and was named the tournament’s best young player.
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