‘A huge talent’… Virgil van Dijk heaps praise on ‘special’ Barcelona player | OneFootball

Several FC Barcelona players stepped on the pitch as Spain faced the Netherlands in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Thursday night, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

This was quite a mixed night for the Blaugrana defender Pau Cubarsi. He started the game for Spain, but had to leave the pitch before the end of the first half as he suffered from a sprain and was subbed out for Dean Huijsen.

On the other hand, this match gave him an opportunity to take to the field against his idol, Virgil van Dijk, wearing the same number as the Dutchman, 4.

The Spanish youngster has never hidden his admiration for the Liverpool veteran, but as Mundo Deportivo has reported, it was van Dijk who expressed his awe for the Barcelona defender as he spoke to the media after the game.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

The Dutchman was particularly impressed by Cubarsí’s high level at such a young age and even labeled him a ‘special’ player:

“I think he is a huge talent, a special player. To be playing at this level at just 18, as you said, is already impressive… He is outstanding.”

Van Dijk also highlighted one particular quality of the Barcelona defender that he shares with himself:

“It’s good to watch him play. It’s not the typical Barcelona style because Pau also likes to play long passes—a lot—and he’s good at it. That’s something I also enjoy doing.”

Lastly, the Liverpool center-back also expressed his sorrow about Cubarsi’s injury:

“I felt sorry for him because he obviously got injured, but I think he is a great talent and we are witnessing a player with a brilliant future.”

There is no doubt that it was a special night for Cubarsí, as he had the chance to play against his idol. However, he will not have the opportunity to do so again in the upcoming second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final, as he has already left the national team camp due to injury and returned to Barcelona.