Euro 2024: Why Barcelona defender Pau Cubrasi's omission is a good news for Spain?

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Barcelona's 17-year-old defensive sensation, Pau Cubarsi, has been omitted from Spain's final squad for Euro 2024. In the final squad selection, coach Luis de la Fuente trimmed his provisional 29-man roster down to 26, resulting in the exclusion of Cubarsi, alongside Girona’s Aleix García and Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente.

Despite a challenging season for Barcelona, Cubarsi has emerged as a standout performer. The young defender made his senior debut for the Catalan giants in January and quickly cemented his place in the team.

His impressive performances did not go unnoticed, earning him a debut for the Spanish national team in March. Many had expected that he would secure a spot in the Euro 2024 squad.

However, de la Fuente chose to prioritize experience over youth, selecting more seasoned defenders for the final squad. This decision, while understandable from a tactical perspective, is certainly disappointing for Barcelona fans and Cubarsi himself.

However, there is a silver lining present in this case. Cubarsi's omission increases the likelihood that he will participate in the Olympic Games in France next month.

Barcelona had reservations about him competing in two major tournaments before the new season, and his omission from the Euros now opens the door for him to lead the 'Rojita' at the Paris Olympics.

Cubarsi will now have the opportunity to rest and recharge, enjoying a three to four-week holiday before joining the Olympic squad. While this means he will miss Barcelona's pre-season tour of the USA, he could also be absent for the early part of the new season if Spain progress into the final stages of the Olympic tournament.