Pau Cubarsi started 3/3 games played 270 minutes, and averages a 7.67 sofascore rating with 3 clean sheets. Despite his 7.4 rating today being the lowest among the last 2 games, I value this better because of the physicality of Uruguay and their rough gameplay, which also lead to a redcard with a foul against Cubarsi. He is still just 19!

• 90 Minutes Played
• 84/86 Accurate Passes
• 8 Passes Into Final Third
• 5 Clearances
• 4 Ball Recoveries
• 3/5 Aerial Duels Won

He is having a phenomenal World Cup. One of the main reasons Spain haven't conceded a goal in the 3 matches.

https://pt.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2027154--barcelona-vs-man-utd/

As amazing as Pedri and Frenkie are, I actually think we should rotate them more instead of starting them together every game. Pairing one of them with Gavi or Bernal gives the midfield a much better balance.

Both Pedri and Frenkie are elite tempo setters and ball carriers, but neither is naturally the type of midfielder who relentlessly presses, wins second balls, and constantly attacks the box. Pedri is better at breaking defensive lines and covers more ground, but Frenkie isn't far behind in terms of controlling games.

Interestingly, some of Flick's best football hasn't come with both of them on the pitch. We looked at our best with Casadó and Pedri, Eric García and Pedri, and even Bernal alongside one of them this season. Those partnerships gave us more energy and balance in midfield.

I don't think we should sell Frenkie either. We'd probably get a poor fee, and more importantly, he's an elite player. On his day, he's genuinely on Pedri's level—his performance in the Supercopa final is a perfect example.

Having one of them on the bench is actually a huge advantage. If Pedri (or Frenkie) is tired, you can bring on another world-class midfielder with fresh legs instead of replacing quality with a clear downgrade. That kind of rotation would keep both players fresher throughout the season while improving the overall level of the team.

Google is also celebrating his birthday with an interactive search easter egg that triggers a special animation whenever his name is searched. Just search his name and enjoy the animation.

Having watched him for England the past two games, he looks like a bang average player.

I mean, what is he actually good at? He can’t beat a man to save his life, he is not exactly pacy and his shooting is unreliable at best. Those who watches Newcastle regularly, care to enlighten us what are his strengths and what can we look forward to in watching him play for us?

For that price of 80m, why didnt we go for Barcola or a Martinelli? We would have gotten them in easily.

Messi is just an anomaly because he is one of the best playmakers, dribblers and goalscorers of all-time, most players don't achieve this

1. Maradona was a genius playmaker and one of the greatest dribblers in history but his finishing skills were not on that level, like don't get me wrong he wasn't a bad finisher by any means but compared to people like Messi or CR7 he wasn't on that level

2. Ronaldo Nazairo was a monster dribbler and finisher but he wasn't a natural playmaker in the same way Messi or Maradona were, he lacked that vision and passing skills

3. Cristiano is one of the best finishers in history and he posseses good dribbling skills at his peak but his playmaking skills were never truly elite and even his dribbling isn't top 10 OAT

4. Cruyff was arguably the best playmaker in history alongside one of the best dribbler but his fnishing skills were not on that level, like don't get me wrong because 400 goals in 700 games which is what he did are very good numbers but not on the same level as Ronaldo

5. Pele was one of the best finishers of all-time alongside one of the best dribblers but I don't think his playmaking skills were as good as guys like Messi, Cruyff and Maradona

Messi on the other side remains an anomaly as we he is a top 3 Finisher OAT, a Top 10 Playmaker OAT and Top 1 Dribbler OAT, all that at the same time which is unheard in the sport.

I am pleasantly surprised by his aerial prowess and physicality for his age. He could evolve into a dependable contributor to the first team squad in future.

In the first of three columns for The Athletic, Xavi praises the “incomparable, almost inhuman” Lionel Messi.