The 25 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy award have been announced, with Barcelona's Pau Cubarsí leading the list of Europe's brightest young football talents. Cubarsí had an impressive year at club and international level, helping Barcelona win major domestic honours and being part of Spain's successful 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. He was named the tournament's best young player and is now in contention for the Golden Boy award.
The list of finalists was unveiled by Tuttosport, which has organised the award since 2003. It recognises the best Under-21 player competing in European football. Barcelona have three finalists, including Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, while Real Madrid also have three players on the list: Yan Diomande, Endrick, and Franco Mastantuono. Other notable names include Ayyoub Bouaddi, who switched his international allegiance from France to Morocco earlier this year.
The winner of the 2026 Golden Boy award will be selected by 50 European football journalists and announced in November. Last year's award was won by Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué, while previous winners include Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal. The Golden Boy rules state that players can only win the award once, so 2024 winner Lamine Yamal is not eligible to win again.
The 25 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy award include players from various countries and clubs. Some of the notable players include Warren Zaïre-Emery from Paris Saint-Germain, Luka Vušković from Brighton, and Estêvão from Chelsea. The list also features players from Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, and Roma, among others. The diversity of players and clubs represented highlights the talent and depth of young footballers in Europe.
Yan Diomande, a Real Madrid player, is considered a close contender to Pau Cubarsí for the Golden Boy award. Diomande has been impressive for Real Madrid and is part of a strong list of players from the club. Other players to watch out for include Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth and Gianluca Prestianni from Benfica. The competition for the award is expected to be fierce, with many talented young players in contention.
The Golden Boy award is a prestigious honour that recognises the best young player in European football. The award has been won by many notable players in the past, including Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. The 2026 award is expected to be announced in November, and the winner will be selected by a panel of 50 European football journalists. The shortlist of 25 players is a testament to the talent and depth of young footballers in Europe.
The 2026 Golden Boy award will be a significant recognition of the best young player in European football. With a strong list of 25 finalists, the competition is expected to be fierce. The winner will be announced in November, and the award will be a major milestone in the career of the winning player.
Key points
- Pau Cubarsí leads the 2026 Golden Boy award race with 24 other young football talents also shortlisted.
- The winner of the award will be selected by 50 European football journalists and announced in November.
- The Golden Boy award recognises the best Under-21 player competing in European football.
