Soccer-Cubarsi champions defenders' cause but keeps his feet on the ground at home

Pau Cubarsi wants defenders to get their share of football's glittering prizes, but ‌a World Cup winner's medal brings no special privileges at home, where the Barcelona teenager still bickers with his sister over the housework. The 19-year-old Spain centre back is mounting a persuasive challenge to the forwards who usually monopolise individual honours, having played every minute of his country's World Cup triumph and been named the tournament's best ‌young player.

He now leads the Golden Boy rankings, chasing an award for Europe's best under-21 player that only one defender, Matthijs de Ligt in 2018, has won since its creation in 2003. "It's harder for defenders to get recognition.

we're less in the spotlight," Cubarsi told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. "Perhaps our work isn't as visible because, at the end of the day, the forwards score lots of goals, provide assists, play a more attractive style of ‌football, are more eye-catching.

"

Spain conceded just once during the tournament and beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final, denying Lionel Messi's side a shot on target across 120 minutes. Cubarsi also led the final ‌for touches and successful passes, underlining his ability to shape a game rather than simply spoil an opponent's.

Asked whether he was a defender or a playmaker, he chose both. "The playmakers also start with the goalkeeper and the defenders, and that's where the team's play and rhythm begin," he said.

"But I also love defending; I love getting down on the ground; I love going into tackles. I think I'm a bit of both.

"

His reference points are former Barcelona captains Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique: the former for leadership and character, the latter for ⁠distribution. Yet composure should not be confused with a reluctance to compete.

"I've never been ⁠the sort of player to play very roughly. If I do have to make a tackle, I'll do it, but without malice - always with the aim of winning the ball," he said.

"But I think that intensity and that character mustn't be lost because they're very ⁠important for a defender." SMALL PLEASURES, BIG AMBITIONS Off the pitch, Cubarsi prefers a quieter existence, shaped by his upbringing in Estanyol, a village with a population of 187 in Girona, and a family of carpenters whose lessons in discipline have stayed with him.