Cubarsí: “Everyone already knows Lamine is the best in the world”

“Everyone already knows Lamine is the best in the world,” Pau Cubarsí said. Ahead of the Champions League match against Galatasaray, the defender also said his teammate deserved the Ballon d’Or, adding that his performances on the pitch speak for themselves.

Cubarsí was the player who spoke to the media before the match. He acknowledged that his team was in an excellent spell, having won nine consecutive games. But he cautioned against taking that run for granted. “Every match is different, but we’re in a good groove and feeling positive. We have to keep going like this and not slow down.”

The defender expects a demanding contest. He recalled facing his opponent on his debut and warned that they would have clear attacking ideas. “They’ll give everything; they’re at home. We’ll have to be very alert from the start,” he said. He also stressed the opposition’s quality, the pressure in the stadium and the need to pay attention to small details. He has not spoken to Livakovic, but other players have told him about the atmosphere at the ground.

On his workload, Cubarsí said he had played a lot at the World Cup and at the start of the season. His coach manages his playing time, he explained, but he feels ready to play every minute. At 19, he said he is growing accustomed to new experiences and gaining experience. “Age isn’t important. If I’m playing well, I have to do what everyone else does: work, be myself and be competitive.”

The defender also described keeping a clean sheet as an important challenge, particularly in a stadium where the pressure is high. He believes the team has considerable room to improve and is currently doing things very well. As for outside discussion, he prefers to focus on his club and his own game. He also praised Frenkie’s level and said he expects him to have a great season, without making that the main focus of his remarks.