Pau Cubarsí has raised alarm bells for both the Spanish national team and FC Barcelona after sustaining an ankle injury during the UEFA Nations League quarter-final match against the Netherlands on March 20, 2025. The match, held in Rotterdam, saw Cubarsí start strong but ended prematurely for him as he limped off the pitch after just 40 minutes of play.
The 18-year-old center-back was injured following a tackle from former teammate Memphis Depay while battling for a loose ball. Initially, Cubarsí appeared to shake off the injury to continue playing, but as he started to exhibit discomfort after about half an hour, Luis de la Fuente, the head coach, began preparing for a substitute. A clear signal of concern arose when he ultimately fell to the ground in the 39th minute, prompting immediate medical attention.
As the medical team rushed onto the field, RTVE reported that Cubarsí might have suffered a mild ankle sprain. He walked off the pitch under his own power, a small positive note in what could have been a much more serious situation. However, he was visibly in pain, and Dean Huijsen, a debutant who had recently been called up, took his place. Huijsen was met with jeers from the crowd, due to his controversial choice to switch international allegiances from the Netherlands to Spain, yet he stepped in with pressure weighing heavily on both him and the Spanish defense.
The injury comes at an already tough time for the young defender and his club. Iñigo Martínez had already been ruled out before the game, raising eyebrows about Barcelona's defensive options at a crucial point in the season. Barcelona has an important match against Osasuna lined up for March 27, 2025, and with Ronald Araujo facing a long trip to South America for international duty, they are feeling the crunch.
Speaking after the match, Luis de la Fuente tried to quell the anxiety surrounding Cubarsí’s injury, stating, "We believe it is recoverable for Sunday" and emphasizing the need for caution. As potential recovery timelines are still unclear, Cubarsí's availability for the second leg of the Nations League quarter-finals against the Netherlands, set for March 23, remains uncertain.
The apparent lightness of the injury may do little to alleviate the mounting tension between national expectations and club obligations. Both Spain and Barcelona are vying for trophies, and as injuries pile up, the absence of a promising talent like Cubarsí looms large. He has become a vital asset for both teams after breaking into the core line-up this season, following a stellar performance at Barcelona.
Looking ahead, the effects of Cubarsí's injury could ripple through both the club and national team setups, sparking pressure on remaining defenders. While Eric García is set to step up against Osasuna, concerns about depth in the backline resonate strongly considering key injuries. Cubarsí was pivotal in securing Barcelona’s defensive line amid a raft of injuries, and now his absence puts further strain on a faltering defense challenged by both La Liga and European commitments.
The upcoming few days will be crucial for Cubarsí as medical evaluations determine the severity of his injury. Insiders suggest that if he merely requires rest, he could be back on the field sooner than anticipated, but complications could set him back for weeks at a critical juncture for both teams.
With the club and national teams navigating busy schedules, the hope is for a swift recovery as Friday's medical tests loom closer. Regardless of the outcome, this situation illustrates yet another strain on players during international match windows—a recurring challenge that clubs often refer to as the 'FIFA virus.'
