Barcelona teenage star gets 10 stitches on face after serious injury during game

By Thanh Quy November 8, 2024 | 12:29 am PT

Defender Pau Cubarsi suffered a serious injury and had to get 10 stitches after a strong kick to his face during Barcelona’s 5-2 Champions League victory over Red Star Belgrade.

Pau Curbasi smiles with a stitched up face after the game between Barcelona and Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League on Nov. 6, 2024. Photo by FC Barcelona

In the 61st minute of the game on Wednesday, as the ball entered Barca's penalty area, Cubarsi attempted a header clearance. However, Red Star's Unos Spajic, aiming for the ball with a right-footed kick, missed and struck the 17-year-old defender in the face. The impact caused a severe nosebleed, forcing Cubarsi to leave the field for treatment.

Barca's medical staff rushed into the pitch for Cubarsi. After that, he was taken to the locker room, where he received 10 stitches to close the wound, Mundo Deportivo reported.

"Cubarsi has been stitched up," Barca manager Hansi Flick confirmed after the match. "He’s young and can continue playing."

The club later shared a photo of Cubarsi smiling post-treatment, with the wounds still visible on his face but in stable condition.

The young defender is expected to start against Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday.

Cubarsi joined Barcelona in January 2024 and has made 39 appearances for the club.

Internationally, he has played four matches for the Spain national team and won an Olympic gold medal with U23 Spain in Paris.

Barcelona currently lead La Liga with 33 points after 12 matches. Following their win over Red Star, they are now sixth in the Champions League group stage with nine points after four matches, well-positioned for direct qualification to the round of 16 as one of the top eight teams.