"It’s my aspiration to compete alongside Pau Cubarsi" - Barcelona youth sensation Hafiz Gariba

[caption id="attachment_1322569" align="alignnone" width="612"] ROESELARE, BELGIUM - NOVEMBER 5: Hafiz Gariba of FC Barcelona in action during the UEFA Youth League 2025/26 match between Club Brugge KV and FC Barcelona[/caption]Ghanaian prodigy Hafiz Gariba has revealed his aspirations of playing alongside World Cup standout Pau Cubarsi at Barcelona. The young talent joined the first team for pre-season training this week following an impressive season with the U19 squad. Gariba is among the few youth players catching the attention of Hansi Flick and is poised for elevation to the first team. The 19-year-old is eagerly anticipating his contributions in the forthcoming campaign, expressing his ambition to play alongside the Spanish defender Cubarsi. "It's Pau Cubarsi. I regard him as my senior and I constantly learn from him because he possesses great intelligence. I've met him, and he's remarkably humble. Lamine Yamal is another exceptional player. They are young talents competing at the highest level, and I am excited to follow in their footsteps," he shared with Flashscore during an interview. "I aspire to one day play with the Barcelona senior team. My dream is to share the pitch with Pau Cubarsi. I believe he is one of the finest defenders globally," he added. Last season, Gariba made significant contributions for the U19s and shone for Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League.