In summer, when Barça’s training centre is simmering with heat and expectations for the new season, even personal moments like a player’s birthday fall under the close scrutiny of the cameras. Centre-back Pau Cubarsí told us how the team lived through Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday and why calm reigns in the dressing room despite the outside hype.
Outside Fireworks, Inside Work Rhythm
Journalist: Pau, the press practically exploded with news of Lamine’s 18th birthday. Was it really that loud?
Cubarsí: To be honest, the amount of attention surprised us. Journalists talked about it for days, while in the dressing room we simply congratulated Lamine between the morning briefing and the tactical session. It was business as usual: cake, a short speech from the captain, and then back to working on positional defending.
The Team Helps Ease the Step into Senior Football
Journalist: How important is such a “quiet” celebration for a young player?
Cubarsí: At 18, the main thing is not to get lost in your own hype. Lamine has just left the youth ranks and is already playing at Spotify Camp Nou. We, the older players, try to keep him focused on the pitch: shutting down his flank properly, not breaking the offside line, making decisions in split seconds. A party is nice, but the next La Liga match is still more important.
Lamine Is Not Just a Wonderkid but a Full Tactical Piece
Journalist: They say the coaching staff builds the wing play around him. Do you feel that?
Cubarsí: Yes, when you have such a dribbler on the flank, it makes sense to feed him the ball. We often push our full-backs higher and create a triangle with the central midfielder so Lamine can beat his man one-on-one more easily. But the system is bigger than the individuals: if the opponent shuts Yamal down, we instantly switch the ball through me and Íñigo to the other flank.
Personal Example Beats Words
Journalist: And how did you celebrate your own coming of age?
Cubarsí (smiles): In a sharp suit, no cameras, just family. I think it helped me stay focused on training and remember that every day you have to earn your place in the starting XI. I tell Lamine the same: emotions after the final whistle; on the pitch, only a cool head.
A Lesson for Everyone: Keep the Balance
Journalist: What’s the main message for the fans?
Cubarsí: Support us as loudly as you discuss our birthdays! Inside the club we’ll decide ourselves when to blow out candles and when to switch the lights off in the opponent’s box. The balance between show and work is the key to trophies.
