Pau Cubarsí recalls Belgrade injury: Teammates called me McDonald’s cashier

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí has recalled the painful — and humorous — aftermath of his injury during the club’s 5–2 win over Crvena zvezda in Belgrade in autumn 2024, revealing that teammates jokingly nicknamed him “McDonald’s cashier”.

The Champions League fixture at the Marakana ended in a comfortable victory for Barcelona, but for Cubarsí the night left a lasting mark — quite literally.

The young Spain international required 10 stitches after an accidental collision with Red Star defender Uroš Spajić, who caught him in the face with his studs during a challenge.

Ten stitches in Belgrade

Speaking to L’Équipe, Cubarsí described the moment that led to the injury.

“In one duel I lowered my head and the opponent raised his foot and hit me in the face. At half-time the doctor told me I needed stitches. I asked him if I could at least take a selfie to send to my mum, so she’d know I was fine and so I could keep it as a memory,” he said.

The cut required 10 stitches, a reminder of an intense European night early in his rise with Barcelona’s first team.

A dressing-room joke

Because of the injury, Cubarsí had to wear a protective mask in the following matches — and that sparked light-hearted teasing inside the squad.

“Because of the stitches I had to wear a protective mask, which made me look like an employee at McDonald’s. My teammates called me McDonald’s cashier,” Cubarsí revealed.

The 18-year-old centre-back, who established himself as a regular starter during the 2024–25 season, has quickly become one of Spain’s most promising defenders. His composure on the ball and tactical maturity earned him international recognition with Spain, while Barcelona continue to view him as a cornerstone of their long-term defensive project.

While the victory in Belgrade has faded into the archives, the scar — and the nickname — remain part of Cubarsí’s personal story.