Pau Cubarsí wins Golden Boy 2026, only the second defender to take the award

Award announced in Sassuolo

Pau Cubarsí, a 19-year-old defender for Barcelona and Spain, was named Golden Boy 2026 on Monday, 9 November. Tuttosport, which organises the prize, made the announcement at a press conference at the Mapei Football Center in Sassuolo, Italy. The award goes to the best player under 21 who plays for a club in Europe, and it has been handed out since 2003. Cubarsí succeeds Désiré Doué, the French winner for 2025 who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. Rodrigo Mora, listed as a wildcard, Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica and Victor Froholdt of FC Porto were also among the nominees.

In a video message sent to the organisers, Cubarsí thanked Tuttosport and the people who voted for him.

“I am very happy to be the winner of the Golden Boy 2026, and I am really very proud.”

He also thanked his family, his friends, and the players and staff at Barcelona and the national team, calling it a spectacular year.

A second defender and a fifth Barça winner

Cubarsí is only the second defender to take the award, after the Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt won it in 2018. He becomes the fifth Barcelona player to win it in 24 editions, joining Lionel Messi (2005), Pedri (2021), Gavi (2022) and Lamine Yamal (2024). With five winners, Barcelona is the most decorated club in the award's history, ahead of Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, which have three each. A player can win the prize only once in a career. Cubarsí had also been in contention for the Kopa Trophy, which France Football awards to the best young player. El Periódico reports that he lost it by two votes, and that Lamine Yamal, who took it, publicly said his teammate deserved it.

A season with Barcelona and Spain

Cubarsí was part of Spain's squad that won the 2026 World Cup, and La Razón reports he was named the best young player of that tournament. SAPO reports that he celebrated three titles with Barcelona: LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercup. La Vanguardia notes that under Flick he played more minutes than any other outfield player, 3,979 across 48 matches, and that his contribution rarely shows up in goals and assists. He made his debut on 18 January 2024 in a Copa del Rey match against Unionistas de Salamanca under Xavi Hernández, and in March 2024 he was named player of the match in Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League win over Napoli. El Periódico counts 142 appearances for the club since then and lists two Ligas, a Copa, two Supercopas and Olympic gold at Paris 2024. La Razón adds that he renewed his contract until 2029 with a release clause of 500 million euros.

Nominees and other prizes

The 25 nominees included Jon Martín of Real Sociedad, Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart of Barcelona, Diomand and Endrick of Real Madrid, Estêvão of Chelsea, Zaire-Emery of PSG, Mastantuono of Fiorentina and Rodrigo Mora of Roma. In the same ceremony, Erling Haaland of Manchester City received the Golden Player Man award, and Alessia Russo of Arsenal was honoured in the women's category. Felicia Schröder of Real Madrid won the European Golden Girl Absolute Best prize, while Jorge Mendes was named best agent, Joan Laporta received the best coach award and Andrea Berta of Arsenal was named best executive, according to SAPO.