Three Barcelona youngsters named Golden Boy finalists
Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart and Marc Bernal are among 25 nominees for the 2026 Golden Boy award. Cubarsi is seen as a leading contender after helping Barcelona win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup and Spain win the World Cup, where he also earned the FIFA Young Player Award. The winner will be revealed in Turin in November.
Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart, and Marc Bernal represent Barcelona on the 25-player shortlist for the 2026 Golden Boy. Cubarsi enters as a prominent candidate after collecting La Liga and Spanish Super Cup medals with his club and a World Cup title with Spain, along with the tournament's FIFA Young Player honor.
Other finalists include Ayyoub Bouaddi, Lennart Karl, Junior Kroupi, and Yan Diomande. If Cubarsi wins, he would join Barcelona teammates Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal as past recipients. The award will be presented in Turin in November.
The shortlist may boost visibility for young footballers and Barcelona's emerging talents, influencing fan interest, media coverage, and youth aspirations. Supporters could feel pride, while clubs and sponsors may see increased attention around nominees. For Cubarsi, recognition may raise expectations and commercial opportunities, though it could also add pressure. The Turin ceremony may draw a global audience, reinforcing Golden Boy's role in spotlighting emerging talent.