Barcelona wonderkid’s chances of winning the Golden Boy award suffer a blow as PSG prodigy shines in UCL final | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have just completed a very successful 2024-25 season in which they laid their hands on three big trophies, La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Several Blaugrana players shone during this campaign, and after helping their team to this domestic treble, they are also favorites to land some big individual awards this year.

One player with a strong chance of winning a major prize is defender Pau Cubarsi, who was recently reported to be leading the race for the prestigious Golden Boy award.

Pau Cubarsi among the favorites for the Golden Boy award

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

However, last night’s event might have damaged his chances of winning the prize presented to the most impressive under-21 talent in Europe.

As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the Paris Saint-Germain prodigy Désiré Doué had a very good outing against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.

In this European showpiece, the Frenchman scored a brace and gave one assist to help his team get a 5-0 win and get their hands on their first UCL title in their history.

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Before this final, everything was pointing at Cubarsi to win the Golden Boy award this year. Lamine Yamal was topping the list published by Football Benchmark in this regard, but as he is the current holder and a player cannot be given this award twice, Cubarsi, the second-placed player on the list, was expected to get this prestigious prize this year.

Désiré Doué presents his case in UCL final

However, Doue’s performance last night has significantly changed the odds, and he is now the favorite to come out on top of the Barcelona wonderkid.

The Frenchman was signed by PSG only last year from Rennes for €50 million, and he has completed a spectacular first season with the Parisian side. In 54 appearances, he scored 15 goals and provided 16 assists. He has shone particularly brightly in the UCL, scoring 5 goals and providing 4 assists.

The two players will now face off in the UEFA Nations League, as France and Spain play in the semi-final of the competition.