Cubarsi urges young players to seek mental health support without fear of judgement

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, only 19 years old, has won a World Cup and is a frontrunner for the Golden Boy award. The young player emphasizes the importance of mental health in football, stating that it is crucial for a player's development and not an afterthought. Cubarsi has sought help from a club psychologist and occasionally sought therapy during his early career with Barcelona.

Cubarsi believes that young players should not feel ashamed or judged for seeking help when they are struggling. He encourages them to express their feelings openly, saying, "I'm going through a tough time, and that's OK." Cubarsi also acknowledges the value of professional support, especially before problems arise, so players can examine their thoughts and identify areas for improvement.

The young player shares his unique strategy for handling pressure, which revolves around self-belief rather than dwelling on mistakes. He explains that while errors can be costly for Barcelona and Spain, constantly reliving them can become unhealthy. Cubarsi emphasizes that the pressure can help improve every day, but players must avoid getting obsessed with mistakes or negative outcomes.

Cubarsi speaks about the rapid rise of young players in football and encourages them not to have a fixed timetable for success. He advises that if a 16-year-old academy player is not given opportunities, they should not become angry or lose motivation but should keep fighting and believing in themselves. At 20, he believes young players are still considered young and must keep fighting to be ready for opportunities.

Despite his World Cup award, Cubarsi sees it as encouragement rather than proof that he has mastered his profession. He emphasizes that achieving great things individually and keeping fighting is crucial. Cubarsi also believes clubs should match their willingness to promote young players with plans to protect their development. He calls for more rest between matches and a structured approach to nurturing young players, including recovery time, diet, gym work, and regular check-ins with physiotherapists.