Cubarsí tops Golden Boy index as Barça trio make 25-man 2026 shortlist

📰 Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí has been named the front-runner among the 25 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy award. 📌 Key points 🏆 Tuttosport has revealed the 25-man shortlist for the 2026 Golden Boy. 🥇 Cubarsí sits first overall in the Golden Boy index. 🔵 Barça have three nominees: Cubarsí, Bernal and Espart. 🌍 Cubarsí starred in Spain's World Cup win and was its best young player. ⚪ Real Madrid's Diomande and Endrick also made the list. 📝 What happened 🏆 Italian sports daily Tuttosport announced the 25 finalists for the Golden Boy, given to the best under-21 player in Europe. Cubarsí topped the Golden Boy index, which weighs performances, minutes, club strength and achievements in European and international competition. 🥈 Manchester City's Ayyoub Bouaddi and PSG's Warren Zaïre-Emery are second and third behind him. 🔵 As well as Cubarsí, Barcelona have midfielder Marc Bernal and wildcard pick Xavi Espart on the list. Six nominees play in Spain in total, including Real Madrid's Yan Diomande and Endrick and Real Sociedad's Jon Martín. 🌍 GOAL described the 19-year-old as the clear favourite after he played a pivotal role in Spain's World Cup triumph and was named the best young player at the tournament. 📊 By the numbers • Finalists: 25 • Barcelona nominees: 3 (Cubarsí, Bernal, Espart) • Nominees playing in Spain: 6 • Cubarsí's age: 19 🔭 Why it matters A win would confirm Cubarsí's status as the cornerstone of Barça's defence. Barcelona host Getafe at Camp Nou in La Liga on 10 October, with El Clásico against Real Madrid to follow on the 25th.