Pau Cubarsi still No. 1 as four Barcelona youngsters in 2026 Golden Boy Top 50 rankings | OneFootball

FC Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi remains the leading candidate for the Golden Boy 2026, the award presented by Italian newspaper Tuttosport to the best under-21 player in European football.

In the latest update of the 100-player shortlist, Cubarsi has retained top spot and further strengthened his credentials to claim the prestigious award.

The centre-back was already named the best young player at the 2026 World Cup, and he has continued to perform at an exceptional level at the start of the new season.

His displays have placed him among the outstanding young defenders in world football.

Courtesy: Tuttosport

Four Barcelona players feature in the Top 50

Barcelona have a strong presence in the Golden Boy rankings, with four players currently among the leading candidates.

Lamine Yamal sits second, although he cannot win the award after claiming it in 2024. Marc Bernal is ranked 20th, while Xavi Espart has entered the list for the first time in 50th place.

Espart’s inclusion represents another recognition of his remarkable start to the campaign with Barcelona’s first team.

The 19-year-old, who won the U19 Euros with Spain during the summer, has made a strong impression since being given his opportunity at senior level and has quickly established himself as one of the club’s most exciting young prospects.

Xavi Espart breaks into the Golden Boy Top 50. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder who recently joined Manchester City, has climbed into third place.

That rise has pushed Yan Diomande, Real Madrid’s 19-year-old signing, down to fifth. PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery, 20, remains fourth.

Cubarsi therefore continues to hold a significant advantage at the top of the list as the Golden Boy race develops.

Cubarsi could become Barcelona’s fifth winner

Should Cubarsi go on to win the Golden Boy 2026, he would become the fifth Barcelona player to receive the award.

He would follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi in 2005, Pedri in 2021, Gavi in 2022 and Lamine Yamal in 2024.

Former Barcelona players Cesc Fabregas (2006), Sergio Aguero (2007) and Joao Felix (2019) have also won the prize, although they received the award before joining the Catalan club.