In recent years, Barcelona’s name has become synonymous with the Golden Boy award from Tuttosport, with players like Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal winning the prestigious trophy.
This year as well, a Barcelona player has emerged as a potential favourite as Tuttosport released a preliminary list of 100 players in contention, as well as early trends.
Pau Cubarsi considered a favourite
Cubarsi could become the next Barcelona player to win the Golden Boy award. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
According to the early trends, as relayed by AS, Pau Cubarsi is considered one of the favourites to win the 2026 Golden Boy trophy.
While Lamine Yamal would have usually dominated this list, the Spaniard is ineligible, as rules dictate a player cannot win the trophy twice. The same can be said for Desire Doue, who was the winner in 2025.
This leaves Cubarsi with an excellent opportunity to win the Golden Boy trophy, having made a significant impact in the Barcelona backline ever since his breakthrough.
At the age of just 19, Cubarsi is a first-team regular at Barcelona with 128 competitive appearances. This makes him one of the frontrunners to win the trophy.
Who are the competitors?
Cubarsi is set to face stiff competition from Warren Zaire-Emery. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Cubarsi, though, will face some stiff competition in his bid to win the Golden Boy award, with PSG’s Warren Zaire-Emery emerging as a strong candidate as well.
The young midfielder could make a strong case if PSG can once again secure the Champions League this season and if France does well in the World Cup.
Other than Zaire-Emery, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Chelsea’s Estevao are also in contention alongside Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille, Lennart Karl of Bayern Munich, Victor Froholdt of FC Porto, Jorrel Hato of Chelsea and Luka Vuskovic of Tottenham.
Interestingly, Barcelona have been linked with a move for Vuskovic, who is being eyed as a potential defensive partner for Cubarsi at Camp Nou.
