Pau Cubarsí Front-Runner for 2026 Golden Boy Award
Pau Cubarsí has emerged as the leading contender for the 2026 Golden Boy award after a year in which the 19-year-old Barcelona centre-back became a regular at club level and helped Spain win the World Cup. Cubarsí was also named the tournament’s best young player, placing him firmly at the front of the race for the Under-21 prize created by Tuttosport.
Cubarsí heads a 25-player field
The Barcelona defender is one of 25 finalists selected from across Europe, with the award recognising the leading young player competing in European football. His standing reflects both his importance in Barcelona’s defence and his international achievements with Spain.
- The Golden Boy Index assesses candidates through sporting performance, total playing time and the standing of their club.
- A further combined bonus is used for success in European competitions and on the international stage.
- The system was developed by Football Benchmark and is supplemented by wild-card selections for players who fall outside the index places.
Premier League and La Liga candidates
Manchester City midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has reached the final group for the first time following his €100 million summer transfer from Lille. Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi is also included after scoring 13 times in 33 matches in his first season in English football.
Real Madrid have two players in the running: Endrick and summer arrival Yan Diomande. The Ivorian international’s nomination is underpinned by his final campaign at RB Leipzig, when he produced 15 goals and 12 assists over 54 appearances in all competitions, despite not yet fully establishing himself at the Bernabéu.
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, Chelsea pair Jorrel Hato and Estevão, and Juventus prospect Kerim Alajbegović are also among the nominees.
Wild cards and wider shortlist
Brighton’s Charalampos Kostoulas, Borussia Dortmund defender Joane Gadou and Barcelona youngster Xavi Espart have been added through the wild-card route.
Paris Saint-Germain have only one finalist, with Warren Zaïre-Emery continuing his run of Golden Boy recognition. The French champions had three players in the final selection last year.
- Barcelona: Marc Bernal
- Brighton: Luka Vušković
- Porto: Victor Froholdt
- Bournemouth: Rayan
- Benfica: Gianluca Prestianni
- Borussia Dortmund: Konstantinos Karetsas
- Cologne: Said El Mala
- Stuttgart: Finn Jeltsch
- Bayern Munich: Lennart Karl
- Real Sociedad: Jon Martin
- Roma: Rodrigo Mora
- Fiorentina: Franco Mastantuono
The depth of the shortlist ensures Cubarsí still faces significant competition, but his Barcelona form, World Cup success and individual recognition with Spain have made him the clear favourite for the 2026 award.
