Kubasa: We are the best team; our opponents should be afraid of us.

Ahead of the World Cup semi-final against France, Spanish defender Cubas gave an interview to RAC1 radio.

Hello, Pao (Kubasi), good evening, how are you?

Hello, good evening. I'm fine.

I don't know if you realize that in 48 hours you will be playing in a World Cup semi-final.

Yes, I haven't fully realized that yet. Although we've been preparing for the competition, I'm really looking forward to that moment.

You always say that no situation or opponent intimidates you, which is truly admirable considering your young age. Lamin (Yamaal) once said that if anyone should be afraid of the French team, it should be the French team afraid of this Spanish team. I think you would agree with Lamin. Considering the situation with the French team, I'm not sure if we should defend them differently?

Yes, ultimately I think it's because of the ability we have, the level we've reached as players and as a team, and most importantly, how united we are like a big family, which is truly admirable. Furthermore, we've just won the European Championship and the Olympics, so I think it should be others fearing us, not us fearing them.

In fact, you won the European Championship two years ago and the UEFA Nations League last year, making this your third encounter in recent years. Furthermore, you've also marked Mbappe in the El Clásico in the league.

Yes, I have indeed faced Mbappe several times in El Clásico, and so far it's been quite effective, but every game is different. You have to stay highly focused for 90 minutes because you know he's the kind of player who can change the course of a game with any move.

I think it was very valuable to be able to interview a defender from the Spanish national team today, before the match against France. There's a viewpoint I'd like to share, and I wonder if you think it's too simplistic: the best performing team versus the strongest attacking team. Paulinho, is that your view? Or do you think we also have a strong attack, and they will play good teamwork?

Yes, that might be true, but I think we are the best team, with the best offense, and the best in every aspect. Like I said before, this family-like unity and camaraderie is very helpful in a tournament like this because everyone shares the same goal, and no one feels superior to anyone else. I think this team cohesion is an added advantage for us.

It's too one-sided to only talk about Mbappe. Of course, Mbappe is a world-class star who has scored 8 goals, but they also have Dembele, Scherki, Due, and Barcola. This is a formidable team, and we can't just focus on how to defend against Mbappe.

Yes, they are a strong team with outstanding players, not only in attack, but also in defense, midfield, and goalkeeping. As a semi-final, you must be fully focused and not just watching one player, but everyone, because with their level, they can create excellent scoring opportunities at any time.

Bao, how are you feeling right now? After all, this is your first World Cup, but you look very composed. We talked, you played the full 90 minutes and at a very high level. A few days ago, you even provided a long pass assist for Merino's goal, helping the team advance. You seem to be playing very comfortably.

Yes, I do feel pretty good, very comfortable. Although this is my first World Cup, and I should theoretically be a little nervous, I didn't think about that. I just focused on my daily work, striving to improve myself, and most importantly, showing good form. Maybe sometimes things won't go as smoothly as expected, but you have to have that attitude on the field and prove your ability.

Regarding the goal against Belgium, we were all saying while watching the game that their goalkeeper was a newcomer and we needed to give him a try. I'm not sure if you communicated on the field, or if you had an instinct, not just for that one pass, because the intention was obvious. Did you think at the time that the goalkeeper wasn't Courtois, so you had to give it a shot, or was it unrelated to who the goalkeeper was?

No, it had nothing to do with the goalkeeper. We hadn't created any scoring opportunities or had any shots for quite some time. I was dribbling forward and saw a little space, so I thought, why not give it a try? You have to have confidence in yourself, and the final result was excellent.

If you don't pass it to Merino, he'll always show up when you need him.

Yes, yes, having a player like him, who may not start but is always ready to come on in the second half to help the team, makes the whole national team excellent.

Speaking of the composure you've shown, to what extent has your defensive partner, Laporte, helped you feel so at ease? I mean, has his support been as supportive of his experience as Inigo Martinez did at Barcelona two years ago?

Having two players with more experience than you is definitely helpful in this field. I feel comfortable playing alongside both of them. It's always better to have someone with more experience who can offer advice and help you. But I also try to use my abilities to help him; I think we complement each other very well.

Regarding this, two years ago you hadn't even participated in the European Championship, but today you're an indispensable member of this World Cup favorite team. Paulo Coubasi, in your growth over the past two years, what aspect of your development are you most proud of?

To be honest, I've grown a lot as a football player. I tried to help out in that European Championship, but couldn't participate for various reasons. Later, I went to the Olympics. I think this helped me reflect and realize that you have to give your all to achieve things, prove your ability every day, and not give up because of one decision. I was just a 17-year-old boy at the time, and I think this experience was very helpful in gaining experience.

There's a possibility you might face Messi's Argentina in the final. It's a real possibility. What would it feel like to face an idol you've watched play for Barcelona since you were a kid?

That would be unique. To play alongside Messi, who has brought me so much joy, is simply incredible. But right now, I'm 100% focused on the semi-final, which is the most important right now because it's the first semi-final you'll ever play in. We'll see what happens after that.

Let me change the subject. We were chatting with Borja Iglesias the other day, and he said that sometimes they speak Catalan in the national team because there are so many of you, and some of the vocabulary and expressions have even been absorbed by teammates who don't speak Catalan. Is that true, Borja?

Yes, that's absolutely true. In the locker room, I talk more with other Catalan speakers, like Eric Garcia or Joan Garcia. For example, during this training camp, Nico Williams learned the phrase "I've met him, I've met him," and yes, that phrase spread throughout the camp.

Indeed, there are many Barcelona players here, as well as many Catalan players. It's often said that if there were a unified Catalan team, they could go very far in the World Cup.

Yes, after all, the Catalan national team is definitely a high-level team, since many of us are currently with the Spanish national team. But we're here now to do our best to help the Spanish team.

Spain has only one precedent in World Cup semi-final history: in 2010, they advanced to the final thanks to Puyol's header against Germany. Has Paulo Cubasi ever imagined scoring a similar goal in the World Cup? You've scored a few goals for Barcelona too.

Have you ever imagined it? No, but I have in my dreams. Seeing that scene and thinking how amazing it would be to recreate it. It's not about making me the protagonist, but about using my abilities to help the team reach the World Cup final. I don't strive to be the protagonist; I only strive to do my best to help the team, hoping they will play a fantastic match and take home the victory.

Lamin Yamal is definitely saving his goal for the semi-final, right?

That's for sure, Lamin will score a lot of goals.

I'm almost done asking. Barcelona's preseason starts tomorrow, of course you won't be there. Has Flick spoken to you these past few days? Has he been paying attention to you? What has he said to you?

Yes, he asked about our situation, wished us good luck, and said he was very happy for us.

By the way, you signed Gordon, which we've discussed before, and there are also reports that an agreement has been reached with Adyemi. You defended against him against Dortmund; what do you think he can bring to the team?

I don't know if it's 100% certain, but there are many rumors. He's a very good player, very capable, and will make things difficult for you. If he can come, I'd love to welcome him; if not, we also have very good players.