Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona player
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Barcelona’s Copa del Rey victory over CD Guadalajara was not only about progression to the next round, as it also marked a symbolic night for one of the club’s brightest young talents.
At just 18 years of age, Pau Cubarsi reached the remarkable milestone of 100 official appearances for the club.
What makes the achievement even more striking is the speed at which Cubarsi has reached it.
In a little over two and a half seasons, the teenage centre-back has already established himself as a regular at the senior level.
His rise has been rapid and relentless, having made 24 appearances during the 2023–2024 season, 56 in 2024–2025, and another 20 already in the current 2025–2026 campaign.
There is also a poetic symmetry to the occasion. On January 18, 2024, when he was just 16 years old, Cubarsi made his official first-team debut against Unionistas in the Copa del Rey.
Two years later, in the very same competition, he reached his century for the club he has grown up supporting.
After the final whistle, Cubarsi reflected on the moment with visible pride, emphasising what the milestone meant to him on a personal level.
He said, “I’m very happy to have played 100 official matches with the club of my life.
“I made my debut in the Cup, and now I’ve played 100 in the Cup. Hopefully, there will be many more.”
Beyond the numbers, Cubarsi was also keen to highlight the competitive reality of the match itself.
Despite the difference in status between the two sides, the defender acknowledged that Guadalajara made life uncomfortable for Barcelona, especially in the early stages.
“These games are tricky. It seems like we’re way better than them, but that’s not true because they come out strong and we have to do the same, with the same ambition and mindset to win.
“They did an amazing job cheering us on, but I think we deserved it. In the second half, I think we had a lot more pace and created more chances,” he concluded.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.