Pau Cubarsi believes defenders deserve a bigger share of football's biggest individual prizes, but being a World Cup winner carries little weight at home, where the Barcelona teenager still argues with his sister over household chores.

The 19-year-old Spain center-back is making a strong case against the forwards who typically dominate individual awards. Cubarsi played every minute of Spain's World Cup triumph, helping his team concede just once, and was named the tournament's best young player.

He now leads the Golden Boy rankings as he bids to become only the second defender to win the award for Europe's best under-21 player since it was established in 2003. Matthijs de Ligt was the only defender to claim the prize, in 2018.

"It's harder for defenders to get recognition ... we're less in the spotlight," Cubarsi told Reuters in an interview Thursday.

"Perhaps our work isn't as visible because, at the end of the day, the forwards score lots of goals, provide assists, play a more attractive style of football and are more eye-catching."

Cubarsi was central to Spain's defensive success at the World Cup. La Roja conceded only once throughout the tournament before beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final, denying Lionel Messi's side a single shot on target across 120 minutes.

Cubarsi also led the final in touches and successful passes, underlining his ability to shape a game rather than simply spoil an opponent's.

Asked whether he was a defender or a playmaker, he chose both.

"The playmakers also start with the goalkeeper and the defenders, and that's where the team's play and rhythm begin," he said.

"But I also love defending; I love getting down on the ground; I love going into tackles. I think I'm a bit of both."

His reference points are former Barcelona captains Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique: the former for leadership and character, the latter for distribution.

Yet composure should not be confused with a reluctance to compete.

"I've never been the sort of player to play very roughly. If I do have to make a tackle, I'll do it, but without malice, always with the aim of winning the ball," he said.

"But I think that intensity and that character mustn't be lost because they're very important for a defender."

Small pleasure, big ambitions

Off the pitch, Cubarsi prefers a quieter existence, shaped by his upbringing in Estanyol, a village with a population of 187 in Girona, and a family of carpenters whose lessons in discipline have stayed with him.

He lives in Barcelona with his older sister, Irene, learning to cook and negotiating the division of domestic duties.

"Yes, we have to split it up, even if there's a bit of bickering," he said.

"At the end of the day, we're siblings and neither of us wants to do anything for the other, but we do have to help each other out where we can and try not to be too lazy."

He has no tattoos and plans none, does not play PlayStation and puts his phone away around family and friends.

Living near Barcelona's training ground is convenient. The city itself has been a harder sell.

"Whenever I can, I head down to the village," he said.

"I really enjoy finding relaxation in the little things, in nature, just being there, being at peace and savoring it."

His ambitions extend beyond football, with plans to study business and administration. For now, he is practicing English, making room for learning amid training and matches.

"It's also important to keep working on yourself as a person, as a human being, because life, unfortunately, isn't just about football and you have to have other experiences," he said.

There is nothing modest about his next sporting targets: the Nations League with Spain and the Champions League with Barcelona.

Individual awards would be welcome, too, but he sees recognition for defenders as a cause bigger than himself.

"I also believe that, even if it isn't me, other center-backs can be in contention for these awards; it shows that we're up there too, why not?" he said.

For all that ambition, his preferred description of himself remains uncomplicated.

"Ultimately, I like people to see me as a simple person, someone who'd say they're just a normal person, who does simple things."