Cubarsí leads the Golden Boy race. Ahead of lamine and Real Madrid’s record signing
At Barcelona, the spotlight usually follows the attacking players. Lamine Yamal produces the headlines, advertising campaigns and records, but the latest Golden Boy Index currently points to someone else. Pau Cubarsí has moved to the top of the August ranking.
The 19-year-old Barcelona defender received a score of 81.206, narrowly ahead of Yamal on 80.583. Real Madrid winger Yan Diomande is third after completing a record transfer from RB Leipzig this summer. Madrid paid €125 million, with bonuses potentially taking the total cost to €140 million.
That does not mean Cubarsí can start clearing space for the trophy just yet. The Golden Boy Index is not the final vote. It is a monthly ranking produced by Tuttosport in cooperation with Transfermarkt, using data such as club performances, European matches, minutes played and international appearances.
Cubarsí has climbed from third place to first largely because of his outstanding World Cup. He started at centre-back for Spain as they won the tournament while conceding only one goal. The Barcelona defender did not need spectacular dribbles or a collection of social-media compilations. Preventing opponents from scoring proved useful enough.
Yamal has dropped to second after leading the ranking for 117 consecutive weeks. It will not affect his chances of winning because, under the rules, he is not eligible to receive the award again. The Barcelona winger claimed the Golden Boy in 2024 at the age of 17, and previous winners cannot compete for another trophy.
His presence still underlines Barcelona’s remarkable position in the ranking. The club occupy the top two places, even though only Cubarsí can eventually enter the final selection. Third-placed Diomande is a genuine rival following his strong World Cup and record-breaking move to Real Madrid.
The August index does not decide the winner. It will continue to be updated until October before a final shortlist of 25 players is formed from the leading 20 names and five wild-card selections. An international jury of 50 journalists will then vote for the 2026 Golden Boy.
If Cubarsí wins, he will become only the second defender to receive the award. Matthijs de Ligt remains the only previous centre-back to have done so, winning it with Ajax in 2018.
Cubarsí would also become the fifth Barcelona player to collect the trophy after Lionel Messi, Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal. Barcelona have spent years celebrating footballers capable of doing almost anything with the ball. Their leading candidate this time is the player responsible for making sure opponents can do absolutely nothing with it.
Sources: Tuttosport, Mundo Deportivo, Transfermarkt
