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Pau Cubarsí named Golden Boy 2026

The Barcelona centre back beat 24 other candidates for the Tuttosport prize for Europe's best player under 21.

Golviva NewsroomUpdated

FC Barcelona player celebrating with both arms raised in the red and blue home shirt
FC Barcelona player celebrating with both arms raised in the red and blue home shirt · Photo: Record

Barcelona centre back Pau Cubarsí has been named the 2026 Golden Boy, the prize for Europe's best player under 21 that Tuttosport awards each year. The 19-year-old beat 24 other candidates.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the shortlist included Diomandé and Endrik of Real Madrid, Estevão of Chelsea, Zaire Emery of PSG, Mastantuono of Fiorentina, Rodrigo Mora of Roma, and Barcelona teammates Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart. Cubarsí is the fifth Barcelona player to win the award, after Messi, Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.

Transfermarkt reports that he won the World Cup this year and the Spanish league title. The Athletic adds that he finished 12th in the Ballon d'Or.

Golviva values him at €112m, 12% above the €100m market value listed on Transfermarkt. This season he has played eight matches, with two assists and an average rating of 7.39. His contract runs until June 2029.

Sources

This article is based on reports by:

  • AS — Cubarsí se viste de oro y se lleva el Golden Boy
  • Transfermarkt — Golden Boy 2026: Cubarsí brings the award back to Barcelona once again
  • NTV Spor — Favori kazandı: Golden Boy ödülü sahibini buldu
  • Record — Pau Cubarsí vence prémio Golden Boy
  • Mundo Deportivo — Oficial: Cubarsí, Golden Boy 2026
  • Foot Mercato — Pau Cubarsi remporte le Golden Boy 2026 !
  • TuttoMercatoWeb — Pau Cubarsì vince il Golden Boy. Il talento del Barcellona trionfa davanti a tre giovani della Serie A
  • The Athletic — Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi wins 2026 Golden Boy award
  • L'Équipe — Deuxième meilleur jeune talent masculin derrière Lamine Yamal lors de la cérémonie du Ballon d'Or 2026, Pau Cubarsi a été sacré Golden Boy
  • kicker — "Golden Boy"-Award: Das sind Cubarsis Vorgänger
  • RMC Sport — Golden Boy 2026: on connaît le successeur de Désiré Doué (et ce n'est pas Lamine Yamal)
  • Maisfutebol — Pau Cubarsí vence o Golden Boy: defesa do Barcelona sucede a Désiré Doué

Written by the Golviva newsroom from the reports below, with figures from Golviva’s own database. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. · How we report