"Everyone will say Lamine" - Gerard Pique names Barcelona defender as his favourite current Blaugrana star
Barcelona legend Gerard Pique has named Pau Cubarsi as his favourite active player at the club. The legendary defender was a part of the Camp Nou side from 2009 to 2022, when he hung up his boots.
One of the finest goalscoring centre-backs of his generation, Pique made over 600 appearances for Barca across competitions, contributing 53 goals and 13 assists. He amassed an impressive trophy haul of 29 trophies at the club, including nine La Liga and three UEFA Champions League titles - with two of the UCL titles being parts of continental trebles (2008-09, 2014-15).
Having retired from the game in November 2022, Pique said (as per FCBLive via Barca Times) that Pau Cubarsi - and not Lamine Yamal - is his favourite active player at the club.
"Favourite player at Barcelona? Everyone will say Lamine, but for me it's CubarsÃ."
Lamine Yamal is widely regarded as a generational talent, with the 17-year-old enjoying a breakthrough 2023-24 campaign, winning Euro 2024 with Spain and making a good start to his current season.
Meanwhile, Cubarsi - another talented 17-year-old - has provided two assists in 47 outings across competitions. That includes a goal in 23 matches across competitions this season.
What's next for Barcelona?
Barcelona have made a good start to life under new boss Hansi Flick, who succeeded the legendary Xavi during the summer. They top the La Liga standings after 17 games, leading second-placed Real Madrid by two points, having played a game more.
In the UEFA Champions League, Barca are second in the 32-team field, winning five straight matches after a 2-1 opening-day reverse at AS Monaco. They are coming off a 3-2 win at last season's runner-ups Borussia Dortmund earlier this week in a matchday six fixture.
All five goals came in the second half. After the in-form Raphinha put the visitors in front after 53 minutes, BvB hit back through Serhou Guirassy's penalty seven minutes later. Barca reclaimed their lead through Ferran Torres in the 75th minute, but Guirassy's second of the night three minutes later made it all square once again.
The visitors, though, had the last laugh, with Torres' 85th-minute strike proving to be the match-winner as Flick's side took home all three points. Barca next take on Leganes at home in La Liga on Sunday (December 15) as they seek their first top-flight title in two years.