Pau Cubarsí leads race, Diomande close behind as full list of 25 Golden Boy finalists is revealed

• Pau Cubarsí leads the 25 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy award.

• Barcelona have three finalists, while Real Madrid also have three players on the list.

• The winner will be selected by 50 European football journalists and announced in November.

The 25 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy award have been announced, with Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi considered one of the leading contenders after another impressive year at club and international level.

READ ALSO: Croatia, Burkina Faso, Real Madrid women thrashed by 7 goals: Here are the biggest scorelines over the weekend

The list was unveiled by Tuttosport, which has organised the award since 2003. It recognises the best Under-21 player competing in European football.

Cubarsí helped Barcelona win major domestic honours and was also part of Spain’s successful 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, where he was named the tournament's best young player.

He is joined on the final list by Barcelona teammates Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, giving the Spanish club three representatives. Real Madrid also have three finalists namely Yan Diomande, Endrick and Franco Mastantuono.

READ ALSO: GFA reveals why Carlos Queiroz left Black Stars coaching role

Another name attracting attention is Ayyoub Bouaddi, who switched his international allegiance from France to Morocco earlier this year and later joined Manchester City from Lille. He was part of Morocco's 2026 World Cup squad.

The winner will be chosen by an international jury of 50 football journalists from across Europe, with the winner expected to be announced in November.

Last year's award was won by Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué, while previous winners include Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal. 

Lamine Yamal, the 2024 winner, cannot win the award again under the Golden Boy rules.

READ ALSO: Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke ready to coach Black Stars - Reports