Barcelona and Spain national team defender Pau Cubarsi took first place in the updated candidates ranking for the "Golden Boy 2026" award. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported this.
The "Golden Boy" award is given to the best footballer under 21 playing in one of the top divisions of European championships.
In the updated ranking, another young star of Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, was recorded in second place after Pau Cubarsi.
The top 10 is as follows:
- Pau Cubarsi — Barcelona;
- Lamine Yamal — Barcelona;
- Yan Diomande — Real Madrid;
- Warren Zaire-Emery — Paris Saint-Germain;
- Ayub Bouaddi — Lille;
- Victor Froholdt — Porto;
- Rayan — Bournemouth;
- Endrick — Real Madrid;
- Eli Kroupi — Bournemouth;
- Estevao Willian — Chelsea.
It is noted that a footballer can win the "Golden Boy" award only once during his career. Therefore, Lamine Yamal cannot win this award a second time. The Spanish footballer became the winner of "Golden Boy" in 2024.
The "Golden Boy" award was founded in 2003 by Italy's "Tuttosport" newspaper. The award is given to the best young footballer playing in Europe's top divisions.
"Golden Boy" differs from the "Kopa" award, which is given at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. While "Golden Boy" is awarded based on the results of the calendar year, the "Kopa" award is given at the end of the season.
Only previous winners of the Ballon d'Or take part in the voting for the "Kopa". For the "Golden Boy", representatives of France, Spain, England, Portugal and other countries vote.
