Barcelona defensive talent favourite to win 2026 Golden Boy award

Barcelona defensive talent favourite to win 2026 Golden Boy award Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi is expected to receive the 2026 Golden Boy award at a ceremony in Turin on December 14, according to Mundo Deportivo .  The award, presented by Tuttosport, would recognise his progress at Barcelona and his contributions to Spain’s successful international campaign. Cubarsi was among the nominees at the 2026 Ballon d’Or gala in London but did not attend the event .  After featuring in El Clasico while suffering from a fever, the defender reportedly chose to remain at home and recover. Pau Cubarsi tipped for Golden Boy 2026 award in Turin The Golden Boy ceremony will take place in Turin on December 14, with the winner due to be announced in the first half of November. Pau Cubarsi is set to win the Golden Boy award in December. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) According to Mundo Deportivo, Cubarsi is expected to finish ahead of a field that includes Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande, Manchester City’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl. The award would mark a major milestone for a defender whose development through Barcelona’s La Masia academy has brought him into the senior team at a remarkably young age.  Although the result has not yet been formally announced, expectations surrounding Cubarsi have placed him among the leading names in this year’s race. Barcelona defender earns recognition after Spain success Cubarsi’s international performances have strengthened his case for individual recognition.  He started all eight matches of Spain’s World Cup-winning campaign and was named the competition’s best young player. Pau Cubarsi was World Cup’s best young player. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) Those performances have reinforced his reputation beyond club football, demonstrating that his progress is not limited to his role at Barcelona.  Can Pau Cubarsi join Barcelona’s Golden Boy winners? If confirmed, Cubarsi would become the fifth Barcelona player to win the Golden Boy award, following Lionel Messi, Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.  That record would show the club’s continued ability to develop young players capable of competing for major individual honours. For Barcelona, the recognition would also highlight the importance of La Masia in supplying first-team talent.  Cubarsi’s emergence has given the club a young defensive cornerstone, while Yamal’s rise has attracted attention in attack.