Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsí suffered a right ankle ligament strain and a facial cut during the club's Asian preseason tour.
The injuries to the young defender create uncertainty for the team's defensive rotations as they prepare for the upcoming season. Cubarsí has become a key figure in the squad's backline, making his availability critical for manager Hansi Flick.
Medical reports indicate Cubarsí sustained a strain of the anterior ligament of his right ankle [2]. In addition to the joint injury, the player required 10 stitches [3] to close a cut on his face resulting from a kick during match play [2, 3].
There are conflicting reports regarding the specific match where the injuries occurred. Some reports link the incident to a game against Daegu FC in South Korea [1], while others state he was injured during a match against the Netherlands [2].
Club officials have set a timeline for the player's recovery. A medical re-evaluation of the ankle injury is scheduled to take place in two days [2].
Reports on the player's age vary between 17 [3] and 18 years old [1]. Despite the physical setbacks, manager Hansi Flick addressed the situation when asked about the player's status.
"Fine," Flick said [3].
The defender's recovery process will be monitored closely as Barcelona concludes its preparations in Asia before returning to Spain.
“Pau Cubarsí suffered a strain of the anterior ligament of his right ankle”
The timing of these injuries is precarious for Barcelona, as preseason tours are designed to build fitness and cohesion rather than risk player health. While a ligament strain and facial stitches are manageable, the need for a two-day re-evaluation suggests the club is cautious about the severity of the ankle damage to avoid a long-term absence before the league season begins.
