Marc Pubill has emerged as one of the brightest stories for Atletico Madrid this season. While the campaign ends without silverware for the rojiblancos, it has produced positives like the explosive rise of a 22-year-old who has grown exponentially. From early obscurity after his arrival, Pubill has evolved into a cornerstone through performance, quality, and character—a reliable foundation for the club’s immediate future. In London, he once again showcased his versatility, this time at right-back. It matters little; Pubill has reinvented himself this season, and that could even open the door to the World Cup.
He arrived from Almeria, then in the Segunda Division, and his first months were among the toughest. Even during preseason, he showed his profile and capabilities. Simeone and his coaching staff decided he could be adapted to central defense, and throughout that early phase, Pubill worked quietly with the coaches to absorb the concepts needed to be effective as a center-back. Gradually, he demonstrated adaptation and growth, stepping forward when Simeone began counting on him regularly around December.
Since then, it has been a dazzling breakout. Pubill also shatters taboos; signing players from the second division is not a bad idea, though he already had top-flight experience. His value is beyond doubt now, representing one of the great joys amid the bittersweet end of the season for Atletico. Pubill signed a modest contract last summer, running until 2030—modest by the first-team salary scale. He is among the lowest earners, but Atletico has already initiated an upgrade operation. They aim to assess his performance, align his wages accordingly, and send a clear message that the player will not be on the market this summer under any circumstances.
Negotiations for this substantial improvement have begun, and news could come soon. It would be a double reward if De la Fuente calls him up for the World Cup. He could have been in the last squad, but physical issues prevented it. Now he is available. Atletico has found a tenacious defender who also displayed character and pride after the London battle. He worked hard to internalize the concepts of playing center-back, and the club will value him accordingly. That is the goal, as the player has already attracted attention across Europe after a dizzying final six months. Barely playing until December, he has now accumulated 2,460 minutes this season, and the impact he makes when on the pitch is unmistakable.
The numbers highlight his emergence as a top-level center-back. According to data from BeSoccer Pro, Pubill outperforms the top five league central defenders (Hancko, Rüdiger, Hujsen, Le Normand, and Giménez) in defensive duels, percentage of defensive duels won, blocked shots, clearances, aerial duels won, recoveries, interceptions, fouls, and progressive carries.