Barcelona's Golden Boy award hopes hinge on Pau Cubarsi
Defender Pau Cubarsi has won the 2026 Golden Boy award, giving Barcelona fans a cause for celebration after a rough few weeks; the trophy, presented each year by the Italian outlet Tuttosport, recognises the best footballer under the age of 21 playing in a top European league.
Barcelona's growing record
The win cements Barcelona as the most decorated club in the award’s history. Cubarsi’s triumph means Barcelona players have now won four of the last six Golden Boy editions. Pedri began the club’s recent dominance by winning in 2021, followed by Gavi in 2022.
Lamine Yamal added the prize in 2024, and Cubarsi now joins the roll of honour. Jude Bellingham in 2023 and Désiré Doué in 2025 were the only non‑Barcelona winners during this period. Past winners have included Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney and Mario Gotze.
The award was created in 2003 by Tuttosport and is decided by a jury of fifty journalists from across Europe. Cubarsi is the first defender to claim the prize since Matthijs de Ligt in 2018. In total five Barcelona players have lifted the Golden Boy, more than any other club in Europe.
The list also features a 17‑year‑old Lionel Messi, who won in 2005 and remains the only recipient to have later won the Ballon d’Or. Manchester United follow with three winners, the next highest total. Barcelona players who came close include Bojan Krkic, who finished third in 2009, and Ansu Fati, a finalist in 2020.
Former academy graduates Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin were nominated while at Arsenal. Beyond the Golden Boy, Barcelona also dominated the broader awards, with president Joan Laporta named President of the Year. The ceremony was held at the Mapei Football Center, where Erling Haaland was named Golden Player and Honest Ahanor received the Italian Golden Boy award.
The event also recognised Giulia Galli of Barça B women’s side as Best Italian Golden Girl and Andrea Berta as Best Executive. The next ceremony is scheduled for 14 December. Cubarsi also celebrated a successful season with Barcelona, having won the domestic league and Spanish Super Cup, and with Spain he won the World Cup.