The reason why Pau Cubarsi has been chosen by Spain over veteran Barcelona defender | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are now primarily working with the players that have been left behind during the international break. Not every single player will end up receiving a call from the head coach of their respective National team, but work never stops. Interestingly enough, however, a certain Barcelona gem has now been called up as an emergency.

Pau Cubarsi, aged 17, is the latest name to be called up by Luis de la Fuente for Spain’s upcoming UEFA Nations League games. Initially, he was left out of the original squad due to the recent wound he suffered on his face that required several stitches to close. At that time, the Spain coach decided that it would be beneficial for the player to get some rest.

However, recent developments have seen Spanish defender Pau Torres get injured and he will no longer be available for his country in the two upcoming games during this international break. As a direct consequence of that, Pau Cubarsi has been called up by Luis de la Fuente. This decision, however, has raised some eyebrows.

The reason behind the questions asked of this particular decision revolve around the fact that 33-year-old defender Inigo Martinez is fully healthy and available for selection. Moreover, his performances this season have been sublime yet he has not received a call-up since March of this year.

According to Mundo Deportivo, however, there is a certain thought process that explains why Inigo Martinez has been left with Barcelona and Pau Cubarsi will be joining the National team camp. The reason and thought process behind it is reportedly that the head coach of the senior men’s team of Spain wants to rely more on players who can develop for future tournaments.

For instance, the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is a tournament that Luis de la Fuente has his eyes set upon. To better prepare his players for that tournament, he is more interested in calling up individuals who would actually be crucial players for his side in said tournament.

Martinez, on the other hand, will likely not be playing at a high enough level by 2026 to be considered for the World Cup squad by then. Irrespective of how he continues to perform right now, it would seem that Luis de la Fuente already has his own reasoning to go by.