Golden Boy 2026: Every Nominee Ranked From Least to Most Likely to Win
The worlds best young talents ranked for the Golden Boy Award!
6 Oct 2026·22 min read·by Taj Soupidis
Photo: Getty Images
The 2026 Golden Boy award has its 25 finalists, and this year's race is packed with some of the biggest young names in world football.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are all represented, while the list also contains some less familiar names who have emerged as genuine stars over the past year.
The award is decided by an international jury of 50 European journalists, meaning this is not simply a statistical award. Club success, international performances, individual impact, reputation and the biggest moments of the year can all influence the vote.
The official Golden Boy ranking is produced with Transfermarkt and was reduced to 20 finalists, with five additional wild cards selected by Tuttosport. The 25 finalists represent 14 countries, while the Premier League has the most representatives with eight.
With that in mind, here is my ranking of every finalist from least likely to most likely to win.
25. Xavi Espart — Barcelona
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Espart is the biggest outsider in the field.
His inclusion is particularly interesting because he did not make the top 20 of the Transfermarkt ranking and was instead selected as one of Tuttosport's five wild cards.
The Barcelona defender's senior résumé is extremely limited compared with almost everyone else on this list.
He made four La Liga appearances for Barcelona in 2025/26, playing 165 minutes, while also making two Champions League appearances for another 28 minutes. He did not score or assist during that campaign.
There is certainly potential there. Barcelona trusting him with senior minutes at such a young age is significant, and he has now begun to establish himself more firmly in the first-team picture.
But Golden Boy voting is about what a player has actually achieved during the eligibility period.
Espart simply does not have enough senior football, statistics or silverware of his own to compete with the leading candidates.
The fact that he is a wild card rather than a top-20 selection tells you plenty about his chances.
His biggest advantage is the Barcelona factor. The club has become synonymous with Golden Boy success, having produced recent winners such as Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.
Golden Boy case: Barcelona pedigree and potential.
Biggest problem: Almost no senior résumé compared with the other finalists.
Verdict: 0% chance of winning
24. Joane Gadou — Borussia Dortmund
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Gadou is another player whose nomination is based far more on potential than achievements.
The French centre-back spent the 2025/26 season at Red Bull Salzburg before moving to Borussia Dortmund.
He made 19 Bundesliga appearances for Salzburg, accumulating 1,573 minutes, but did not score or assist. Across his senior career he had 40 appearances for Salzburg before making the move to Dortmund.
He has now started his Dortmund career, making four Bundesliga appearances early in 2026/27. That move is hugely important for his future.
Dortmund have a long history of developing elite young players, and Gadou now has the opportunity to establish himself at one of Europe's biggest development clubs.
The problem is that Golden Boy is not a “who has the highest potential?” award.
He is competing against players who have already played in Champions League knockout rounds, won league titles, won the World Cup or produced double-digit goal contributions.
Gadou's defensive potential is enormous, but his 2025/26 campaign simply doesn't provide enough evidence to suggest he can win this year.
Golden Boy case: Elite potential and Dortmund platform.
Biggest problem: Very little top level gametime limited elite-level achievements.
Verdict: 0% chance of winning
223. Franco Mastantuono — Fiorentina (on loan from Real Madrid)
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Mastantuono might be one of the most famous names on the list despite being relatively low in this ranking. That tells you how much potential he possesses.
He spent part of 2025/26 at River Plate before joining Real Madrid, where he made 35 appearances and scored three goals.
His River Plate numbers were much more impressive, including six goals and four assists in his final 21 appearances across the relevant campaign.
The problem is that his first season in Europe was difficult to translate into consistent production.
At Real Madrid he scored three times without registering a league assist, and he struggled to establish himself as an automatic starter.
He has since moved to Fiorentina, where his early 2026/27 form has been much more encouraging, including three goals in his first seven appearances.
There is also the international factor. Mastantuono is an Argentina international and is widely regarded as one of the country's biggest attacking prospects.
But Golden Boy voting rewards the season being judged, not simply future potential.
He also has the disadvantage of being a wild card rather than a top-20 selection.
Golden Boy case: Huge reputation, Argentina international, Real Madrid experience and strong early Fiorentina form.
Biggest problem: Inconsistent production during the main 2025/26 campaign.
Verdict: 0% chance of winning
23. Rodrigo Mora — Roma
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Mora is a much more interesting candidate than his position suggests.
His 2025/26 season was spent at Porto, where he helped the club win the Portuguese league.
He made 28 Primeira Liga appearances, starting 14, and contributed one goal and one assist in the league. His European campaign was more productive, with three goals and one assist in nine Europa League appearances.
That gives him four European goal contributions despite being only 18. His previous season was even more impressive statistically.
In 2024/25, Mora scored 10 league goals and supplied four assists for Porto, despite being only 17.
That is an important part of his case because it shows that his talent isn't based on a short purple patch. He has already demonstrated that he can produce at senior level.
The problem is that his 2025/26 numbers dipped considerably, and the move to Roma means he is now starting another chapter rather than arriving at the Golden Boy vote with an overwhelming season-long résumé.
He is one of the five wild cards, which also tells us that the official ranking model did not place him among the 20 strongest statistical candidates.
Golden Boy case: League champion, Champions/Europa-level experience and outstanding previous production.
Biggest problem: His 2025/26 statistical output wasn't strong enough compared with the leading contenders.
Verdict: 0% chance of winning
21. Charalampos Kostoulas — Brighton
Photo: Getty Images
Kostoulas has already achieved something many of the players around him haven't: he has won major silverware.
At Olympiacos in 2024/25, he helped the club win the Greek league and cup double.
He scored seven goals across 35 appearances in domestic competition and the Europa League.
That is an impressive record for a teenager playing senior football in European competition. He then moved to Brighton in July 2025.
His first season in England was more difficult, however, with limited minutes. That is the central issue with his Golden Boy case.
The talent is obvious, and his trophy cabinet already contains a league and cup double, but he did not have the statistical output or playing time necessary to compete with the favourites.
He was also a wild card. Still, he is an excellent example of why the Golden Boy shortlist is about more than just famous names, and has been one of the Premier Leagues best players so far this season.
Golden Boy case: League and cup double, senior goals and European experience.
Biggest problem: Limited Premier League involvement during the key season.
Verdict: 0% chance of winning
20. Kerim Alajbegović — Juventus
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Alajbegović's nomination is based on an extremely rapid rise.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international emerged at Bayer Leverkusen before making a major move to Juventus.
His development has been particularly impressive because he has moved through senior football at an extraordinary speed.
He was also involved with Bosnia at the 2026 World Cup, giving him international tournament exposure that many of the outsiders lack.
His move to Juventus further increases his profile. The problem is that his 2025/26 statistical résumé does not match the leading candidates.
He is more of a projection candidate: a player whose potential, age and trajectory suggest he could become a superstar rather than someone who clearly had the best season of all 25 nominees.
Golden Boy case: Rapid rise, Juventus move and international recognition.
Biggest problem: Not enough elite production or trophies yet.
Verdict: 0% chance of winning
19. Finn Jeltsch — Stuttgart
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Jeltsch is one of the strongest defensive prospects in the field outside the top contenders.
He played a significant role for Stuttgart during 2025/26, making 33 appearances and playing 2,240 minutes across all competitions.
He recorded one assist and, importantly for a centre-back, accumulated substantial experience in European competition.
His Stuttgart résumé included Bundesliga and Europa League football, while he has also progressed through Germany's youth system into the senior setup.
The numbers don't jump off the page because he is a defender. That's always a disadvantage in Golden Boy voting.
Forwards can win votes with 15 goals. Centre-backs need to be exceptional.
Jeltsch's case is therefore built around consistency, maturity and how much responsibility he has already handled at his age.
But he is up against Cubarsí, who has essentially created the perfect résumé for a young defender.
Golden Boy case: Serious senior minutes, Bundesliga and European experience.
Biggest problem: Limited attacking output and competing directly against Cubarsí.
Verdict: 0% chance of winning
18. Jon Martín — Real Sociedad
Photo: Getty Images
Martín is another defender who has already accumulated significant senior experience.
He made 25 La Liga appearances in 2025/26, playing 2,250 minutes and scoring twice.
For a teenage centre-back, becoming a regular starter in La Liga is an achievement in itself.
Real Sociedad also provide a strong development environment, and Martín has progressed through Spain's youth setup.
However, his résumé lacks the defining moment that many Golden Boy winners have.
There is no major international trophy. There is no huge Champions League campaign. There is no enormous statistical output.
He has been good, mature and reliable rather than spectacular. Spectacular tends to win awards like this. But, as I have mentioned in a previous article this guy will go to the very top, I think he will become one of the worlds best in years to come in defence.
Golden Boy case: Regular La Liga starter and strong defensive development.
Biggest problem: Lack of trophies and standout individual achievements.
Verdict: 0% chance of winning
17. Gianluca Prestianni — Benfica
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Prestianni has the advantage of having played a lot of football.
In 2025/26, he made 41 appearances for Benfica, starting 22 times and playing 2,360 minutes. He finished the campaign with three goals and five assists.
Benfica also went unbeaten in the Primeira Liga during that campaign, giving him a league-winning résumé. He also played Champions League football.
The issue is that eight goal contributions across 41 appearances isn't enough to make him a leading candidate when several attacking nominees produced much bigger numbers.
He is also competing against players with greater international tournament impact.
His start to 2026/27 has been much better, however, with six goals and one assist in his first eight appearances.
That could help his reputation with voters, but it probably came too late.
Golden Boy case: League champion, 41 appearances and strong early 2026/27 form.
Biggest problem: Modest production during the main eligibility period.
Verdict: Outside chance
16. Saïd El Mala — Köln
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El Mala is one of the biggest statistical sleepers on the shortlist.
In 2025/26, he played 34 Bundesliga games for Köln, starting 20, and scored 13 goals with four assists. That is an outstanding return for a teenager.
He scored every 151 minutes and finished with 17 direct goal contributions.
The previous season he had already scored 13 goals in 32 appearances for Viktoria Köln in Germany's third tier.
So there is evidence of sustained production rather than one lucky campaign. His problem is context.
Köln finished 14th in the Bundesliga.
Compare that with Cubarsí winning the World Cup and La Liga, or Zaïre-Emery winning the Champions League.
The numbers are excellent, but the stage and achievements aren't comparable.
That is why he ranks much lower than his raw goal tally might suggest.
Golden Boy case: 13 Bundesliga goals and four assists.
Biggest problem: Limited team success and no major international tournament impact.
Verdict: Outside chance
15. Konstantinos Karetsas — Borussia Dortmund
Photo: Getty Images
Karetsas has one of the most interesting statistical profiles in the entire competition.
For Genk in 2025/26, he produced two goals and 13 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. His chance creation numbers were particularly impressive.
In the Belgian league, he ranked in the 98th percentile for combined key passes and assists among midfielders, while his dribbling was in the 97th percentile.
Bundesliga analysis also highlighted his 11 league assists and seven goal involvements in the Europa League.
He also made an excellent start to his Greece international career, scoring in only his second appearance against Scotland and reaching three goals in his first ten appearances.
His move to Borussia Dortmund is another major boost.
The problem is that Genk's level is not PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester City.
His numbers are outstanding, but voters could reasonably place greater weight on players performing at the very highest level.
Golden Boy case: 13 assists, elite creativity and rapid international rise.
Biggest problem: Most of his best work came outside Europe's absolute top leagues.
Verdict: Outside chance
14. Marc Bernal — Barcelona
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Bernal's case is fascinating because he already has a strong trophy collection.
He helped Barcelona win La Liga in both 2024/25 and 2025/26, as well as the Spanish Super Cup.
His 2025/26 campaign was particularly productive for a midfielder, with five goals across 33 appearances according to Barcelona's records.
He also made an impact in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, including scoring twice against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final.
That is a serious résumé.
The issue is that Bernal has been overshadowed by another Barcelona youngster.
Cubarsí's World Cup campaign has essentially made the Golden Boy race about him versus everyone else.
Bernal is also competing with players who have produced greater attacking numbers.
His case is therefore strongest if voters value all-round midfield influence and trophies rather than goals and headlines.
Golden Boy case: Two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and strong Barcelona involvement.
Biggest problem: Cubarsí's season has completely overshadowed him.
Verdict: Dark horse
13. Junior Kroupi — Bournemouth
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Kroupi has one of the best pure scoring records among the nominees.
He played 33 Premier League games for Bournemouth in 2025/26 and scored 13 goals. The most of any teenager in Premier League history for a single season.
He played 1,683 minutes, meaning he scored roughly once every 129 minutes. That is excellent production for a teenager in the Premier League.
He wasn't simply scoring against weak opposition either. He produced goals against major Premier League opponents and became an increasingly important part of Bournemouth's attack.
The issue is assists. He finished with no Premier League assists to his name. That means his case relies heavily on finishing.
Bournemouth's sixth-place Premier League finish is a positive, but he doesn't have the trophies or international achievements of the players above him.
Still, 13 Premier League goals at this age is extremely difficult to ignore, with top clubs eyeing an eye-watering 9-figure deal for him in the transfer window.
Golden Boy case: 13 Premier League goals in 33 games.
Biggest problem: Limited assists and no major trophies.
Verdict: Dark horse
12. Lennart Karl — Bayern Munich
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Karl is the youngest finalist. Born on 22 February 2008, he is younger than every other player on the shortlist.
He has already produced at senior level.
During 2025/26 he recorded nine goals and eight assists in 40 competitive appearances for Bayern Munich. He also earned his Germany senior debut.
That is remarkable production for a player who was still 17 for much of the campaign. The Bayern factor also matters.
Playing regularly for one of Europe's biggest clubs carries enormous weight.
His biggest problem was missing the World Cup through injury, which denied him the biggest possible international stage. The Golden Boy rankings specifically noted that his inability to participate in the World Cup affected his position.
If this award were purely about potential, Karl could be much higher.
But because voters assess what players actually did during the year, his absence from the World Cup is a significant disadvantage.
Golden Boy case: Youngest finalist, 9 goals, 8 assists and Bayern breakthrough.
Biggest problem: Missed the World Cup and lacks the trophy haul of the favourites.
Verdict: Dark horse
11. Jorrel Hato — Chelsea
Photo: Getty Images
Hato is another player who has already accumulated an enormous amount of senior football.
Before moving to Chelsea, he had captained Ajax as a teenager and established himself as both a centre-back and left-back.
In 2025/26, he made 36 appearances for Chelsea across competitions, including 22 Premier League matches and four Champions League appearances.
He also contributed two goals and two assists in all competitions. The versatility is a major part of his case.
Hato can defend, carry the ball and contribute to possession while playing multiple positions.
He also has international experience with the Netherlands. But there is one huge problem.
Chelsea's 2025/26 season was not dominant enough to provide him with the trophy boost enjoyed by several competitors.
Golden Boy case: Huge senior experience, versatility and Chelsea platform.
Biggest problem: Limited trophies and a relatively modest statistical season.
Verdict: Dark Horse
10. Myles Lewis-Skelly — Arsenal
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Lewis-Skelly's case is built around versatility and his remarkable speed of development.
He became an established Arsenal first-team player and has already played as a left-back and in midfield.
He made his England debut in March 2025 and scored against Albania, becoming England's youngest player to score on his senior debut.
He has also accumulated Champions League experience with Arsenal, starting in the UCL Final.
The problem is statistical output. Across 2025/26, he made 33 appearances for Arsenal but did not score.
That isn't necessarily a criticism of his performances, his job is primarily defensive and transitional but it makes him harder to sell to voters when other nominees have double-digit goals or assists.
His international résumé is also less impressive than others above him.
Lewis-Skelly is a very serious young player. But winning Golden Boy requires more than being a fantastic prospect.
Golden Boy case: Arsenal starter, England international, Champions League experience and exceptional versatility.
Biggest problem: Limited attacking production, and still hasn't nailed his spot every week for club or country.
Verdict: Dark horse
9. Endrick — Real Madrid
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Endrick is perhaps the hardest player to rank. Few players on the list have a bigger reputation.
He was already a Brazil international before joining Real Madrid and had won major trophies with Palmeiras before even moving to Europe.
At Real Madrid, he won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup during his first two seasons.
Real Madrid's official statistics show that he made 40 appearances across his first two seasons and scored seven goals.
That résumé is impressive. But there is a problem: playing time.
Endrick has not yet become an undisputed starter at Real Madrid. That matters enormously for Golden Boy. The award is not given for reputation alone.
He is competing against players who were playing 30-50 games and carrying their clubs.
His enormous potential keeps him in the top ten, but his actual 2025/26 production prevents him from challenging others.
Golden Boy case: Real Madrid, Brazil international, major trophies and enormous reputation.
Biggest problem: Insufficient playing time and statistical production.
Verdict: Outside shot
8. Estêvão — Chelsea
Photo: Getty Images
Estêvão is one of the most naturally gifted players in the competition.
His first season at Chelsea produced eight goals and three assists across all competitions. Chelsea's official end-of-season statistics confirm those numbers.
That included some spectacular moments.
He also became a regular Brazil international and has already scored at senior level. His problem is consistency.
He struggled for minutes after moving to Chelsea, and an injury around the World Cup also disrupted his momentum. By October 2026 he had played only 42 minutes in the Premier League that season, although he had scored for Brazil during the international break.
The fact he has now made the Golden Boy shortlist for a second consecutive year shows how highly he is regarded.
But this year's field is simply stronger. His talent may eventually make him a favourite in a future Golden Boy race. This year, however, he has too much ground to make up.
Golden Boy case: Eight goals, three assists, Brazil international and elite individual talent.
Biggest problem: Inconsistent club minutes and a relatively modest trophy haul.
Verdict: Outside shot
7. Rayan — Bournemouth
Photo: Getty Images
Rayan is one of the most interesting attacking candidates.
He arrived at Bournemouth from Vasco da Gama after an excellent 2025 campaign in Brazil, where he scored 14 league goals and finished with 15 goal contributions in the Brazilian top flight.
He then adapted quickly to the Premier League. In 2025/26, he scored five goals and provided two assists in 15 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth, starting 13 of them.
That is a very strong return given the limited minutes. He also made his Brazil senior debut.
The biggest issue is that he simply did not play enough football in Europe during the main campaign.
A player scoring five goals in 15 games is impressive. A player scoring 15 goals in 35 games is much easier for voters to reward.
Rayan also doesn't have a major trophy to strengthen his case.
Golden Boy case: Excellent scoring record, Brazil international and strong Premier League adaptation.
Biggest problem: Limited European sample size.
Verdict: Outside shot
6. Victor Froholdt — Porto
Photo: Getty Images
Froholdt might be the most underrated player on the entire shortlist. I have written about him before several times. This guy is an absolute weapon.
The Danish midfielder had a superb first season at Porto. He made 34 Primeira Liga appearances in 2025/26, scoring six goals and providing six assists.
Across all competitions, he recorded seven goals and six assists in 40 appearances.
That is a very impressive return for a midfielder. He also became a Denmark international and scored during World Cup qualifying. His senior experience is another major positive.
He isn't simply a talented academy player getting occasional minutes. He became an important player for Porto.
The problem is that Porto's domestic dominance does not carry quite the same weight as winning La Liga, the Champions League or the World Cup.
Still, the statistical profile is excellent. Unlike some of the attacking candidates, he contributes at both ends of the pitch.
Golden Boy case: Seven goals, six assists, major Porto role and senior international football.
Biggest problem: Less global exposure than the biggest club-based contenders.
Verdict: Genuine contender
5. Luka Vušković — Brighton
Photo: Getty Images
Vušković is the defender most capable of challenging Cubarsí.
The Croatian has been highly regarded for years, and his performances have now moved him into the upper echelon of European young defenders.
His biggest strength is that he isn't a conventional centre-back. He is technically excellent, comfortable carrying the ball and has a major goal threat from set pieces.
He also has the advantage of being a regular senior player rather than simply a prospect.
The official Golden Boy ranking placed him sixth overall, ahead of several players with much bigger reputations.
That is significant. It means the statistical model already believes his overall body of work deserves to be taken seriously.
His problem is simple. Cubarsí had the World Cup and won it.
That makes it incredibly difficult for another young centre-back to beat him.
Golden Boy case: Elite young defender, strong statistical ranking and growing senior importance.
Biggest problem: Cubarsí's extraordinary World Cup and trophy résumé.
Verdict: Serious contender
4. Yan Diomande — Real Madrid
Photo: Getty Images
Diomande has the most explosive statistical case among the leading candidates.
His 2025/26 season at RB Leipzig was extraordinary. He scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.
That is 27 direct goal contributions.
For a teenager playing in the Bundesliga and European football, that is elite production. He then performed on the biggest stage.
His 2026 World Cup performances helped push his reputation to another level and contributed to Real Madrid spending a reported huge fee to sign him.
The move itself matters. Real Madrid don't spend enormous sums on young players unless they believe they are acquiring a potential superstar.
Diomande's combination of statistics, international exposure and transfer profile makes him arguably the strongest challenger to Cubarsí.
The biggest question is whether voters give greater weight to Diomande's incredible club numbers or other factors, such as trophies.
That's what makes this such an interesting race.
Golden Boy case: 15 goals, 12 assists, World Cup impact and huge Real Madrid move.
Biggest problem: His club success does not compare with trophy hauls of others.
Verdict: Serious contender
3. Warren Zaïre-Emery — PSG
Photo: Getty Images
Zaïre-Emery has arguably the deepest club résumé of anyone in the field.
The PSG midfielder has been playing senior football since he was 16 and has already become an important player for one of Europe's biggest clubs.
In 2025/26 he made 52 appearances for PSG and scored three goals. His Ligue 1 campaign consisted of 31 appearances and three goals, while he also made 16 Champions League appearances.
Then there is the trophy cabinet.
He has now won:
* Two Champions Leagues
* Four Ligue 1 titles
* Two French Cups
* Two UEFA Super Cups
* FIFA Intercontinental Cup
* UEFA U17 European Championship
That is ridiculous for a 20-year-old.
He also has senior France experience and appeared at the 2026 World Cup.
His biggest disadvantage is that France and PSG don't start him every week because they are both so stacked with talent.
The World Cup tournament probably cost him ground. But if journalists value sustained elite club success, Zaïre-Emery has one of the strongest cases in the entire field.
Golden Boy case: Two Champions Leagues, four Ligue 1 titles and years of elite-level senior football.
Biggest problem: Less influential World Cup campaign than he would've hoped for, and did not win.
Verdict: Major contender
2. Ayyoub Bouaddi — Manchester City
Photo: Getty Images
Bouaddi is the dark horse who could genuinely upset Cubarsí.
His statistical profile is unusual because he doesn't rely on goals. In 2025/26 for Lille, he made 42 appearances across all competitions, starting 37 and playing 3,165 minutes.
He scored no goals and provided one assist. On the surface, that looks unimpressive.
But that would completely misunderstand his role. Bouaddi is a controlling midfielder.
He completed 42 appearances, played 75 minutes per appearance on average and became one of Lille's most important midfielders.
His technical numbers were also strong, particularly his ball carrying and progressive play.
Then came the World Cup. Bouaddi's performances for Morocco dramatically increased his profile.
He subsequently earned a huge move to Manchester City, with reports putting the fee at around £86 million.
That combination is enormously powerful for Golden Boy voting:
A young player who became a senior regular. A World Cup performer. A major international. A huge Manchester City signing.
Plus he's a player whose underlying midfield influence is much greater than his goals and assists suggest.
His biggest disadvantage is the absence of spectacular attacking numbers.
But Golden Boy has previously rewarded midfielders, and Bouaddi has a genuine argument.
Golden Boy case: 42 appearances, 37 starts, World Cup breakout and huge Manchester City move.
Biggest problem: Almost no goal contribution during the club season.
Verdict: The biggest threat to Cubarsí
1. Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona
Photo: Getty Images
Surprise surprise.
There is a very strong argument that this year's Golden Boy race is already over. Cubarsí had an extraordinary 2025/26.
At Barcelona, he played 48 matches and almost 4,000 minutes, scoring once in La Liga while helping the club win another league title, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. Barcelona's official records list 48 appearances in 2025/26 and 130 first-team appearances by the end of the season.
But then came the World Cup. This is what separates Cubarsí from almost everyone else.
He played every minute of Spain's World Cup campaign. Spain won the tournament. Cubarsí was named the World Cup's best young player.
In the final, Spain beat Argentina 1-0, and Cubarsí played a major role in Spain's defensive performance. Reuters noted that he led the final for touches and successful passes while Argentina failed to register a shot on target.
That is the kind of tournament that can decide an individual award and it wasn't a one-off.
Cubarsí had already established himself as a first-team regular for Barcelona despite being only 19.
Barcelona's official records list:
* 130 first-team appearances
* Two La Liga titles
* Two Spanish Super Cups
* Copa del Rey
* Olympic gold medal
* World Cup
* World Cup Young Player of the Tournament
The Olympic gold came at Paris 2024, meaning his trophy cabinet already looks absurd for a teenager.
There is also a historical angle. Only one defender has ever won the Golden Boy: Matthijs de Ligt in 2018. Cubarsí could become only the second.
That would be particularly significant because the award has traditionally favoured attacking players.
The official Golden Boy ranking already has Cubarsí at No.1, while the award's founder Massimo Franchi has gone as far as suggesting he has a 99.9% chance of winning.
The only realistic argument against him is that the journalists could decide Diomande's attacking production or Bouaddi's midfield influence was more impressive.
But it is difficult to build a stronger résumé. He won the World Cup. He was the best young player at the World Cup. He won domestic trophies with Barcelona. He played enormous minutes at one of the world's biggest clubs.
Golden Boy case: World Cup winner, World Cup Young Player of the Tournament, La Liga champion, Copa del Rey winner, Spanish Super Cup winner and Barcelona first-team regular.
Biggest problem: Almost none. His main disadvantage is simply that defenders traditionally receive less attention than forwards and midfielders.
Verdict: Overwhelming favourite
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