Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has won the 2026 Golden Boy award, becoming the fourth player from the Catalan club to receive the honour in the last six years.
The award, created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, is presented annually to the best footballer aged 21 or under playing in one of Europe's top 25 leagues, based on UEFA coefficients.
19-year-old Cubarsi joins teammates Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal, who won the award in 2021, 2022 and 2024, respectively. The award cannot be won twice by the same player. Paris Saint-Germain's Desire Doue won the honour in 2025, while Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham was the recipient in 2023.
It has been a memorable year for the 19-year-old, who played a key role in Spain's World Cup triumph and was named FIFA Young Player of the Tournament. He also helped Barcelona secure their second consecutive La Liga title.
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"I'm very proud to receive the award and I thank all the people that voted for me," Cubarsi said in a video message broadcast by Tuttosport during the awards ceremony. "It's been a spectacular year and we're going for more," he added.
Cubarsi is the first defender to win the award since Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt in 2018 and only the second defender to receive the honour since its inception in 2003. Speaking to Reuters, the Barcelona youngster highlighted the challenges defenders face in getting recognition compared to attacking players.
"It's harder for defenders to get recognitionโฆ we're less in the spotlight," he said. "Perhaps our work isn't as visible because, at the end of the day, the forwards score lots of goals, provide assists, play a more attractive style of football, are more eye-catching."
Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Sweden forward Felicia Schroeder won the 2026 Golden Girl award, which recognises the best young female footballer in Europe.