Cubarsí Remains Golden Boy 2026 Favorite as Xavi Espart Breaks Into Top 50

Pau Cubarsí strengthens his bid for the 2026 Golden Boy award. The 19-year-old Barcelona center-back remains at the top of the ranking of 100 candidates for the prize that Tuttosport hands to the best under-21 player in European football, and he is now the clear favorite to succeed Lamine Yamal in the winner's list.

• Pau Cubarsí stays number one in the latest update of the 100 Golden Boy 2026 candidates.
• Lamine Yamal sits second in the ranking but cannot win again after lifting the trophy in 2024.
• Xavi Espart debuts on the list in 50th place after his strong start with the first team.
• Ayyoub Bouaddi, Manchester City's new signing, climbs onto the podium and drops Yan Diomande to fifth.
• If he wins, Cubarsí would become the fifth Barcelona player to claim the Golden Boy.

Cubarsí Strengthens His Golden Boy 2026 Lead

The Barcelona defender already knows what it means to be named the best young player at a major tournament. He took that honor at the last World Cup and has started the season for Barcelona at an extremely high level, among the best in the world in his position. That form keeps him at the top of the list and gives him every reason to feel confident about the final ceremony.

The ranking update makes the strength of his candidacy clear. While other contenders rise and fall, Cubarsí does not move from first place and continues to look like the award has an early owner.

Lamine Yamal Cannot Repeat and Xavi Espart Breaks Into the Top 50

Barcelona has several representatives among the 100 candidates. Lamine Yamal appears second in the ranking, although his name is not part of the trophy conversation: he already won it in 2024 and the format does not allow a repeat winner. Marc Bernal sits 20th, and the big new name is Xavi Espart.

The young academy product enters the list for the first time, in 50th place, thanks to a spectacular start to the season with the first team. His emergence underlines the excellent moment of Barcelona's academy, which places three 19-year-olds among the one hundred best under-21 players in Europe.

Bouaddi Climbs Onto the Podium and Diomande Drops to Fifth

Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, is one of the biggest names in the update. Manchester City's new signing climbs to third place and breaks into the Golden Boy podium. His rise pushes Yan Diomande, Real Madrid's addition, down to fifth.

Warren Zaïre-Emery remains between them. The 20-year-old PSG midfielder holds onto fourth place and stays firmly in the fight for the top spots of an award once again dominated by the young talent of European football.

Barcelona's Golden Boy History

If Cubarsí confirms his victory, the center-back would become the fifth Barcelona player to lift the Golden Boy. Before him, Leo Messi won it in 2005, Pedri in 2021, Gavi in 2022 and Lamine Yamal in 2024.

Other players who wore the Barcelona shirt also have the award in their trophy cabinets, although they received it before joining the club. That is the case of Cesc Fàbregas, honored in 2006, Sergio Agüero in 2007 and Joao Félix in 2019.

What Leading the Golden Boy Ranking Means

Tuttosport's ranking is updated regularly throughout the season and works as a barometer for the final award. Leading it consistently, as Cubarsí does, usually signals a very strong candidacy, especially when the player's performances back it up week after week.

The prize recognizes the best under-21 players in European football and has historically gone to stars who went on to define an era. For a center-back, dominating rankings like this is particularly impressive, since the spotlight usually falls on attackers.