Golden Boy 2026: Who Are the 25 Best Young Players in the Running?
The 2026 Golden Boy race is taking shape, with 25 of Europe’s most exciting young footballers named among the finalists for the prestigious award. The winner will be announced later this year, with the shortlist featuring talents from some of the biggest clubs in European football. The Golden Boy award, created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport […]
The 2026 Golden Boy race is taking shape, with 25 of Europe’s most exciting young footballers named among the finalists for the prestigious award. The winner will be announced later this year, with the shortlist featuring talents from some of the biggest clubs in European football.
The Golden Boy award, created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003, recognizes the standout young player competing in European football. Previous winners include Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal.
Pau Cubarsí leads the Golden Boy race
According to Sports Illustrated’s ranking of the 25 nominees, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí is the leading candidate.
The Spanish centre-back has enjoyed an exceptional period, establishing himself as an important player for both Barcelona and Spain. His performances at the 2026 World Cup were particularly impressive, with Cubarsí helping Spain win the tournament and earning the award for the competition’s best young player.
A victory would make Cubarsí the latest product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy to claim the Golden Boy award, following Lionel Messi, Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.
Bouaddi and Diomande among the main challengers
Manchester City’s Ayyoub Bouaddi is ranked second by Sports Illustrated. The midfielder made a major impression during the World Cup and subsequently completed a high-profile move to Manchester City as the club looked to strengthen its midfield options.
Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande occupies third place. The Ivorian winger enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with RB Leipzig before making a major move to Madrid. He contributed 21 goals and assists in 33 league appearances during the 2025–26 season.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery is fourth, while Brighton defender Luka Vušković completes the top five in the ranking.
The full Golden Boy 2026 ranking
Sports Illustrated’s ranking places the 25 nominees as follows:
- Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona
- Ayyoub Bouaddi — Manchester City
- Yan Diomande — Real Madrid
- Warren Zaïre-Emery — Paris Saint-Germain
- Luka Vušković — Brighton
- Victor Froholdt — Porto
- Myles Lewis-Skelly — Arsenal
- Rayan — Bournemouth
- Eli Junior Kroupi — Bournemouth
- Lennart Karl — Bayern Munich
- Jorrel Hato — Chelsea
- Marc Bernal — Barcelona
- Estêvão — Chelsea
- Xavi Espart — Barcelona
- Endrick — Real Madrid
- Finn Jeltsch — Stuttgart
- Gianluca Prestianni — Benfica
- Saïd El Mala — FC Köln
- Konstantinos Karetsas — Borussia Dortmund
- Rodrigo Mora — Roma
- Kerim Alajbegović — Juventus
- Franco Mastantuono — Fiorentina
- Charalampos Kostoulas — Brighton
- Jon Martín — Real Sociedad
- Joane Gadou — Borussia Dortmund.
Interestingly, five players were added as so-called wild cards rather than entering through the main Transfermarkt-based top-20 selection: Mastantuono, Mora, Kostoulas, Gadou and Barcelona’s Xavi Espart.
Another notable absence is Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona star meets the age criteria, but he is not eligible to win again after claiming the award in 2024. Last year’s winner, Désiré Doué, is also absent from the 2026 shortlist.
With Cubarsí currently sitting at the top of the ranking, Barcelona could be heading toward another Golden Boy success. However, Bouaddi, Diomande, Zaïre-Emery and several other elite young talents will have their eyes on the prize when the final vote takes place.
