Pau Cubarsi Leaves Spain Squad Due to Ankle Injury, Returns to Barcelona

Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi has suffered an ankle injury in the Nations League draw with the Netherlands and will return to his club Barcelona to begin recovery. Cubarsi, who has six caps for Spain, was substituted in the 41st minute of the match and will miss the second leg in Valencia. Lazio defender Mario Gila has been called up to join the squad.

In a disappointing turn of events for Spain's defense, 18-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi was forced to leave the Nations League quarterfinal against the Netherlands due to an ankle injury. Cubarsi, who has earned six caps for the Spanish national team, sustained the injury in the first half of the match and was substituted in the 41st minute [1].

The injury occurred during a challenge from Memphis Depay of the Netherlands, leaving Cubarsi in discomfort. After undergoing medical tests, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) determined that it was best for the defender to return to his club, Barcelona, to begin his recovery [2].

Cubarsi's departure from the squad leaves a void in Spain's defense, prompting the RFEF to call up Lazio defender Mario Gila as a replacement [2]. Gila is expected to join the team in Valencia and train with his new teammates ahead of the second leg against the Netherlands [2].

This is not the first time Barcelona has been hit hard by injuries in Spain's training camp. Defenders Marc Casado and Íñigo Martínez were previously forced to withdraw due to respective injuries [2].

Despite the setbacks, Spain's squad for the decisive return match against the Netherlands remains formidable. Haro Le Normand, Hulijsen, Asensio, and Gila are all in contention for a starting spot in defense [2].

Luis de la Fuente, Spain's coach, expressed disappointment over Cubarsi's injury but remains optimistic about the defender's recovery. "Cubasi has a small sprain, we want him with us on Sunday," he said [3].

References:

[1] ESPN. (2025, March 21). Spain defender Pau Cubarsi returns to Barcelona with ankle injury. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/44344848/spain-pau-cubarsi-returns-barcelona-ankle-injury

[2] Tribuna. (2025, March 21). Pau Cubarsi leaves Spain's camp with ankle injury. https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-03-21-pau-cubarsi-leaves-spains-camp-with-ankle-injury/

[3] Flashscore. (2025, March 21). Pau Cubarsi leaves Spain squad after suffering ankle injury against Netherlands. https://www.flashscore.ca/news/soccer-uefa-nations-league-pau-cubarsi-leaves-spain-squad-after-suffering-ankle-injury-against-netherlands/tnY8gCFq/