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Article Summary
Marc Pubill is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a center-back or right-back for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the Spain national team. Born Marc Pubill Pagès in Terrassa, Barcelona, on 20 June 2003, his football journey is one of remarkable reinvention. He was rejected by Espanyol’s academy as a youth for being “too short” but continued to develop, making his La Liga debut for Levante in 2021. He moved to Almería in 2023 before signing for Atlético Madrid in July 2025. Under Diego Simeone, Pubill was transformed from a right-back into a commanding center-back, a change that elevated his career. He won a gold medal with Spain at the Paris 2024 Olympics and was a surprise inclusion in Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad, becoming a world champion as Spain defeated Argentina in the final. His market value is estimated at €40 million. His net worth is not publicly confirmed.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marc Pubill Pagès |
| Born | 20 June 2003 |
| Birthplace | Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Age | 23 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Position | Centre-back / Right-back |
| Current Club | Atlético Madrid |
| Jersey Number | 18 |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Marc Pubill Pagès was born on 20 June 2003 in Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Growing up in the Catalan capital region, Pubill’s early football journey was marked by rejection. He was part of Espanyol’s youth academy, but the club discarded him during his formative years because they believed he lacked sufficient height.
Rather than giving up, Pubill continued his development in Catalan grassroots football. He played for Club Gimnàstic Manresa’s academy before joining Levante UD as a youth player. His persistence through early setbacks would later define his remarkable career.
Club Career
Levante (2020-2023)
Pubill progressed through Levante’s youth ranks, making his debut for Levante B in 2020. He made his first-team debut for Levante UD on 20 December 2021, playing 90 minutes as a starter against Valencia aged 18 years and 183 days. In total, he made 39 league appearances for Levante’s first team, scoring one goal.
Almería (2023-2025)
In 2023, Pubill transferred to UD Almería. He made 59 league appearances for the Andalusian club, scoring two goals and providing seven assists. His performances established him as one of the most promising defenders in Spanish football, catching the attention of top clubs.
Atlético Madrid (2025-Present)
On 23 July 2025, Atlético Madrid announced the signing of Marc Pubill from Almería. The 22-year-old signed a five-year contract, keeping him at the club until June 2030.
The Simeone Transformation: Under manager Diego Simeone, Pubill underwent a crucial transformation. Initially signed as a right-back, Simeone converted him into a center-back. Standing at 1.90 meters with his physical presence, anticipation, and ability to play out from the back, he flourished in his new position. Pubill later acknowledged his gratitude to Simeone for the positional change.
In his debut La Liga season with Atlético, Pubill made 19 appearances, 15 of them starts, accumulating 1,382 minutes, scoring one goal, and providing one assist.
International Career
Youth Level
Pubill represented Spain at various youth levels. He made two appearances for the Spain U19 team in 2021 and was a regular for the U21s, making eight appearances. At the U21 European Championship, he played all four games and scored a goal against Slovakia.
Olympic Gold (Paris 2024)
Pubill was part of the Spanish Olympic team led by Santi Denia at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He played in five of the six tournament matches, including the gold medal final against France, and scored a goal in the victory over Uzbekistan. Spain won the gold medal.
Senior Debut and 2026 World Cup
Despite having no senior caps for Spain, Pubill was a surprise inclusion in Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was assigned the number 2 shirt, previously worn by Dani Carvajal.
At the tournament, Pubill made his senior Spain debut, earning two caps. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July 2026, and Pubill became a World Cup champion. He was one of four Atlético Madrid players to win the tournament alongside Álex Baena, Alejandro Grimaldo, and Marcos Llorente.
Major Achievements
Spain National Team
Individual
- Atlético Madrid transfer: Signed a five-year contract in July 2025
- Market value: Estimated at €40 million
Personal Life
Pubill keeps his personal life relatively private. He has a girlfriend who has been with him throughout his professional development. His parents are Ignasi Pubill and his mother, whose surname is Pagès. In a revealing interview, his father, Ignasi, spoke about his own past mistakes, including going out at night, and how he now uses those errors to help guide his son’s career. Pubill’s family has been a constant source of support, with his mother describing the whirlwind of his rise to the World Cup as something that has been “difficult to assimilate.”
Latest News
As of July 2026, Marc Pubill is a World Cup winner with Spain, having been a surprise inclusion in the squad and earning two senior caps. He is under contract with Atlético Madrid until June 2030.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 La Liga season | Starts August 2026 |
| Atlético Madrid pre-season | To follow World Cup duty |
| UEFA Champions League 2026-27 | The group stage begins September 2026 |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Won (with Spain) |
| 2024 | Olympic Games Gold Medal | Won (with Spain) |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Born in Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain |
| 2020 | Made debut for Levante B |
| 2021 | Made La Liga debut for Levante on 20 December |
| 2023 | Transferred to UD Almería |
| 2024 | Won Olympic gold at Paris 2024 |
| 2025 | Signed for Atlético Madrid on a five-year deal |
| 2026 | Made senior debut for Spain at the World Cup |
| 2026 | Won FIFA World Cup with Spain |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levante B | 2020-2022 | 19 | 1 |
| Levante | 2021-2023 | 39 | 1 |
| Almería | 2023-2025 | 59 | 2 |
| Atlético Madrid | 2025-Present | 19 | 1 |
International Caps: 2 (as of 2026 World Cup)
FAQs
How old is Marc Pubill?
Marc Pubill was born on 20 June 2003 in Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain, which makes him 23 years old as of 2026.
What is Marc Pubill’s net worth?
Marc Pubill’s net worth is not publicly confirmed. His market value is estimated at €40 million, and he earns approximately €28,077 per week at Atlético Madrid.
Which club does Marc Pubill play for?
Marc Pubill plays as a center-back or right-back for La Liga club Atlético Madrid. He signed a five-year contract with the club in July 2025.
Did Marc Pubill win the World Cup?
Yes. Pubill was part of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad, earning his first senior caps at the tournament.
What is Marc Pubill’s height?
Marc Pubill stands at 1.90 meters (6 feet 3 inches).
Why was Marc Pubill rejected by Espanyol?
Pubill was discarded by Espanyol’s youth academy during his formative years because the club considered him “too short” to continue.
What position does Marc Pubill play?
Marc Pubill primarily plays as a center-back but can also play as a right-back. He was converted from right-back to center-back by Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid.
Did Marc Pubill win Olympic gold?
Yes. Pubill was part of the Spanish Olympic team that won the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
What is Marc Pubill’s contract situation?
Pubill signed a five-year contract with Atlético Madrid in July 2025, keeping him at the club until June 2030.
Where is Marc Pubill from?
Marc Pubill was born in Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Key Takeaways
- Marc Pubill is a Spanish defender born on 20 June 2003 in Terrassa, Barcelona.
- He was rejected by Espanyol’s youth academy for being “too short” but persevered.
- He made his La Liga debut for Levante in 2021 and later played for Almería.
- He signed for Atlético Madrid in July 2025 on a five-year contract.
- Under Diego Simeone, he was converted from right-back to center-back.
- He won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with Spain.
- He was a surprise inclusion in Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad and became a world champion.
- His market value is estimated at €40 million.
Conclusion
Marc Pubill’s journey from being rejected by Espanyol’s academy for being “too short” to lifting the World Cup is one of the most remarkable stories in modern football. Rejection could have ended his career, but instead, it fueled his determination. He worked his way through the ranks at Levante and Almería before earning a move to Atlético Madrid. Under Diego Simeone’s guidance, he was transformed from a right-back into a commanding center-back, a change that unlocked his full potential and earned him a place in Spain’s World Cup squad. At the 2026 World Cup, he became a world champion, completing a journey that few could have predicted. At just 23 years old, with a long-term contract at Atlético Madrid and a World Cup winner’s medal, Marc Pubill’s story is far from finished.
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