Official: Barcelona defensive prodigy among the 25 finalists for the 2025 Golden Boy award | OneFootball

Tuttosport has published the list of finalists for the Golden Boy 2025 award, which has recognised the best footballer under 21 since 2003.

Last year saw Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal being crowned as the winner of the Golden Boy prize.

This time around, the 18-year-old wonderkid’s teammate, Pau Cubarsi, makes it to the 25-man shortlist for the 2025 Golden Boy.

Like Lamine, Cubarsi has also become a permanent fixture in the Barcelona setup despite being only 18 years old.

The teenage centre-back was an integral member of the team that won the domestic treble last season under Hansi Flick and is slowly establishing himself in the Spain national team setup as well.

Courtesy: X/Tuttosport

As such, Cubarsi finds himself among the final 25 nominees for the Golden Boy prize for this year, although winning it will not be easy, as he has some tough competition.

PSG prodigy Desire Doue is a strong contender, having won the treble last season and even starred in the UEFA Champions League final win over Inter Milan.

Unlike the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or gala, which allows repeat winners, the Golden Boy award can be won only once in a lifetime, which is why Lamine is not among the 25-man finalists.

Before Lamine last year, Barcelona midfielders Pedri (2021) and Gavi (2022) had also won the prize, and it will be interesting to see if Cubarsi can bring home the award this time around.