CORNERFLICK
Pau Cubarsi has won the 2026 Golden Boy award after a strong year for Barcelona and Spain.
How the vote broke his way
The 19-year-old centre-back took the prize in Sassuolo, with 30 European sports journalists choosing the winner from 25 nominees. He finished ahead of Yan Diomande, Ayoub Bouaddi and Lennart Karl.
What lifted him above the field
Cubarsi's case rested heavily on his role in Spain's 2026 World Cup win. He started all eight of Spain's matches and helped them concede just one goal on the way to a second world title.
He also collected FIFA's award for the tournament's best young player. At club level, he added La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona in 2026, while making 52 official appearances across the year.
Another milestone for La Masia
Cubarsi is the fifth Barcelona player to win Golden Boy after Lionel Messi in 2005, Pedri in 2021, Gavi in 2022 and Lamine Yamal in 2024.
The formal award ceremony is due to take place in Turin on 14 December 2026.