"Are you kidding me? Impossible" - Former World Cup winner Adil Rami heaps praises on Barcelona star
Former FIFA World Cup winner Adil Rami has lauded Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi's defensive awareness and prowess. The Frenchman called the 17-year-old a 'tactical phenomenon,' claiming that it is 'impossible' for him to be as good as he is at his age.
Working his way up the ranks at Barca's famed La Masia Academy, Cubarsi made his senior debut in January 2024 at the tender age of 16. His immense potential was on show from day one, making him a regular fixture in the Catalans' starting lineup almost immediately.
The Spaniard has made 39 appearances for the first team thus far, winning individual awards in LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League. Speaking after Barca's 3-1 win over Espanyol on Sunday (November 3), Rami raved about the youngster's defensive nous and analyzed his style of play.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner said (via Barca Universal):
"How can he be a tactical phenomenon at his age? 17 years old… Are you kidding me? Impossible."
"The attacker positions himself to make a pass with his right foot and then Cubarsi scans, follows his marker and then stops. Then, however, the danger is on the other player arriving from the second line and there he cannot do anything. But he does it perfectly," Rami added.
Cubarsi has formed a rock-solid defensive partnership with experienced veteran Inigo Martinez (33) this season. The duo have helped Barca win 11 out of 12 games in the league and two out of three UCL games so far, setting a solid foundation to help the Catalans return to glory.
"They are to be applauded" - Adil Rami praises Barcelona's defense for flawless tactical execution
Former French centre-back Adil Rami commended Barcelona for their flawless execution of the offside trap, placing particular emphasis on their 4-0 drubbing of Real Madrid.
Under German tactician Hansi Flick, the Blaugrana have employed a high line in defense, often playing an offside trap to perfection. They caught Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe offside on no less than eight occasions on October 26, showcasing their unparalleled defensive and spatial awareness.
The Catalans are also among the teams that have caught their opponents offside the most times this season - a whopping 99 times. Heaping special praise on the tactical set-up and the defenders in particular, Rami said (via Barca Universal):
"When they tell me that Kylian Mbappe was offside I don't know how many times against Barcelona, I say, 'I congratulate Barcelona, their defense and Cubarsi.'"
"Because the offside traps since the beginning of this season are to be applauded for their defense more than to attack Kylian Mbappe for his positioning errors," he added.
Up next, Barcelona take on FK Crvena Zvezda in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday (November 6).