Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí has been named the winner of the 2026 Golden Boy award, recognising Europe’s best Under-21 footballer.
Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, which organises the annual award, announced the 19-year-old as the winner on Monday, November 9, during a press conference at the Mapei Football Center in Sassuolo, Italy.
Barcelona confirmed the announcement on its official website, describing Cubarsí as the continent’s best Under-21 player.
The Spaniard emerged ahead of 24 other finalists after a voting process involving 50 journalists from 27 European countries.
Cubarsí succeeds Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué, who won the award in 2025, while Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal claimed the honour in 2024.
He becomes the latest Barcelona player to win the award, joining Lionel Messi, Cesc Fàbregas, Pedri, Gavi and Yamal among previous recipients.
The centre-back is also only the second defender to receive the honour, following Matthijs de Ligt, who won it in 2018.
The awards ceremony will take place in Turin, Italy, on December 14.
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