'You could see he was going to make it' - Lamine Yamal was destined for stardom 'from a young age' as Pau Cubarsi opens up on first impression of fellow Barcelona academy star

Cubarsi has shared glowing praise for Barcelona and Spain teammate Yamal, recalling their early days together at the club’s famed La Masia academy. Both players are integral parts of Hansi Flick's first-team setup, representing a new generation of homegrown stars carrying Barca’s future.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the 18-year-old centre-back said that Yamal’s talent was evident long before his senior debut and that his success comes down to years of unseen hard work and resilience.

“When I arrived, Lamine was already at Barca. From a young age, you could see he was going to make it. I’m very happy about everything he’s been through, which hasn’t been easy,” the defender said. "People think it's easy to get there, but you don't see the work that goes into it. I'm very happy for him."

He also addressed the criticism surrounding Yamal, stressing the teenager’s ability to remain unfazed by outside noise.

"Being so good and having so many people against him, there are always people who say things to discourage him, but he's tough. He doesn't have to play those games; he has to keep doing what he does: playing and being a good person."

The Blaugrana’s recent dip in form has been a concern, with consecutive defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla before the international break. While Yamal’s recurring pubic injury has limited his minutes, the 18-year-old is working tirelessly at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to regain full fitness.

The plan is to have him ready for the high-stakes clash against Real Madrid on October 26. Early signs from training have been promising, with the winger expected to return for limited minutes against Girona later this month if recovery stays on track.

Cubarsi, meanwhile, is with the Spanish national team as they prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria. After the 4-1 defeat to Sevilla, he criticised his team’s lack of intensity and urged Barcelona to “step up” as they look to regain form. Both players will play vital roles in the Catalan giants' push to regain momentum once club football resumes. For Yamal, the focus remains on returning stronger from injury, while for Cubarsi, it’s about leading by example in defence as two of La Masia’s brightest products aim to guide Barca back to winning ways when they face Girona on October 18.