Pau Cubarsí Wins the 2026 Golden Boy Award

Barcelona and Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, 19, has won the 2026 Golden Boy award, which recognizes the best young player under 21. The source says Cubarsí won the 2026 World Cup with Spain in July and was one of the national team’s key players during the tournament.

The award is given to players under 21 who play in European leagues, with the winner selected by a vote of 30 journalists from across Europe. Cubarsí beat 24 nominees selected from the “Bitchmark” list, along with five candidates who received wild-card invitations.

Cubarsí’s win comes weeks after he lost the Kopa Trophy by two points to Lamine Yamal, according to the source. He became the second defender to win the Golden Boy after Matthijs de Ligt. La Masia academy graduates Lionel Messi, Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal had also won the award before him. Cubarsí succeeds Frenchman Désiré Doué, the 2025 winner, while Yamal won the 2024 edition.

Massimo Franchi created the award, which has been presented by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport since 2003. Cesc Fàbregas also won it while playing for Arsenal.