Pau Cubarsí: "I want to be myself, I don't want to compare myself to anyone"

With a child’s enthusiasm, and not forgetting his recent progress, Pau Cubarsí walks around the Ciudad del Fútbol receiving congratulations, hugs and pats on the back from everyone he passes. Having only turned 17 years old on 22 January, and following his wonderful progress at FC Barcelona, the central defender and his top form at club level have opened the door to the National Team, which, despite his youth, is the logical next step for a player in this kind of form. Now with the squad to face Colombia (Friday 22, in London) and Brazil (Tuesday 26, at the Bernabéu) he exclaimed "It's all happening very quickly, but I'm taking it very calmly".

The name Cubarsí has been on everyone's lips this season, and he is the first to be fully aware of what is required to be among the 26 best players who make up the Spain senior squad. To be called up to the senior side you have to keep working hard and Pau, more than justified in his joy, keeps his feet on the ground despite the fact that it was hard to take in the news of his call-up: "I finished training and it was the same day as the Champions League draw. In the dressing room, the fitness coach said to me: "Congratulations! I was stunned because I didn't know I had been called up and then, when I saw that it was true, everyone started to congratulate me. I am very happy.

He speaks with a sense of fun and joy, laughing at his first photo shoot in a senior shirt and picking up experience from all the little things involved along the way. This was the advice given to him by his parents, who are keeping a close eye on his progress: "They tell me to be myself, to play the way I know how, not to get nervous, to play my football". If he makes his debut for Spain, he would be the youngest defender to do so, surpassing Sergio Ramos' record. "It would be a dream come true. If I can achieve that goal and beat Sergio Ramos, who was an idol, I'll be very happy.

He is a defender with many virtues, but widely highlighted has been his ability to play the ball out from the back and this certainly is one of the main hallmarks of this player who has come through the youth ranks of the national team and now wants to take advantage of the opportunities that come his way. "I want to bring calmness to the play, to play the ball out from the back and to show character...". But he doesn't care to compare himself to others. "I don't know how to put myself into another player, I want to be myself, to play my own game, I don't want to compare myself to anyone". Big words for someone who grew up idolising Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol.

For his first call-up with the seniors, Cubarsi is counting on Lamine Yamal, still young too at only 16, as his main source of support. The record-breaking forward is helping the defender during his first trip to Las Rozas, and the excellent relationship between the youngsters is more than evident. "Here I bring Pau Cubarsí, the top three centre-backs in terms of playing out from the back,” joked Yamal.

"We have shared many experiences together and we are enjoying them to the max. I've been with him for many years and we're making the most of our opportunities," says Lamine. "He's a very nice guy, he’s like my housemate because we lived together in La Masia. He's nice, humble... Let him enjoy himself, you don't get to make your debut at 16 or 17 every day, he's going to do very well", his team-mate advises him. All power to the 2007 generation, a crop that is promising to keep on flourishing.