Jakarta, ThedailyID — Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has won the 2026 Golden Boy Award, recognizing him as Europe’s best young footballer.
The 19-year-old played a key role in Barcelona’s 2025–2026 La Liga title triumph. He also helped Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Golden Boy Award recognizes players under the age of 21 who compete in Europe’s top divisions. Sports journalists select the winner through a voting process.
Cubarsi beat several prominent young players to claim this year’s award. The nominees included Barcelona and Spain teammate Lamine Yamal, Ayyoub Bouaddi of Manchester City and Morocco, Warren Zaire-Emery of Paris Saint-Germain and France, and Yan Diomande of Madrid and Ivory Coast.
Both Cubarsi and Yamal enjoyed major success with Barcelona and Spain. However, the award cannot go to the same player twice, making Cubarsi eligible for this year’s recognition after Yamal won in 2024.
Cubarsi’s victory also highlights La Masia’s reputation for developing talented footballers. Barcelona graduates have regularly featured among the award’s winners.
His achievement marks the fourth Golden Boy Award for a La Masia graduate and Barcelona player in the last six seasons. Pedri won in 2021, Gavi followed in 2022, and Yamal claimed the trophy in 2024.
Furthermore, Cubarsi becomes the first defender to win the award since Matthijs de Ligt received it in 2018 while playing for Ajax Amsterdam.
