{
  "id": 11240862,
  "title": "Cubarsi champions defenders' cause but keeps his feet on the ground at home",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/cubarsi-champions-defenders-cause-but-keeps-his-feet-on-the-ground-at",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T17:14:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/cubarsi-champions-defenders-cause-keeps-his-feet-ground-home-6425131"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pau Cubarsi, a 19-year-old Spanish center back, is advocating for defenders to receive greater recognition in football. Despite his success at the 2018 World Cup, where he played every minute and was named the tournament's best young player, Cubarsi acknowledges that defenders often receive less attention compared to forwards. He told Reuters that forwards usually monopolize individual honors, and it is harder for defenders to gain recognition. Only one defender, Matthijs de Ligt, has won the Golden Boy award for Europe's best under-21 player since its inception in 2003.\n\nCubarsi attributes this disparity to defenders being less visible, as forwards score more goals, provide assists, and play an attractive style of football. However, he believes that defenders also shape the game and play a crucial role in a team's rhythm and play. He compares himself to former Barcelona captains Carles Puyol, who exemplified leadership and character, and Gerard Pique, known for his distribution skills.\n\nOff the pitch, Cubarsi prefers a quieter lifestyle in his hometown of Estanyol, a village with a population of 187 in Girona. He shares domestic duties with his older sister, Irene, and enjoys cooking and finding relaxation in nature. Cubarsi's ambitions extend beyond football, as he plans to study business and administration. For now, he focuses on improving his English and working on his personal growth. His ultimate goal is to win individual awards for defenders, showing that center backs can also be contenders for such honors.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Pau Cubarsi advocates for defenders' recognition in football.",
    "Only Matthijs de Ligt won Golden Boy award for under-21s since 2003.",
    "Cubarsi prefers quiet lifestyle in Estanyol, plans to study business."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}