Cubarsí, the Barça finalist to succeed Lamine Yamal as Golden Boy

Once the Kopa Trophy is awarded at the Ballon d´Or gala held on September 22, it remains to be seen who will take home the other major recognition for players under 21: the Tuttosport Golden Boy.

Here we go!
The 25 finalists for the Golden Boy Absolute Best title!
Who will be the next European Golden Boy?#GoldenBoyAwards | #GoldenBoy2025#GBFBIndex | #FootballBenchmark#tuttosport pic.twitter.com/f621eO2sRv

— Tuttosport (@tuttosport) October 15, 2025

This Wednesday, the transalpine media revealed the list of 25 finalists. It includes three representatives from Real Madrid —Huijsen, Güler, and Mastantuono— and only one from FC Barcelona, Pau Cubarsí.

Why is Lamine Yamal not among the nominees?

The Golden Boy has a particularity compared to the Kopa award from France Football, which has been won by Lamine Yamal in the last two years: it cannot be won again. For this reason, despite being considered one of the brightest talents on the planet, Lamine Yamal cannot aspire to reclaim the title after winning the award in 2024.

Pau Cubarsí, the new Barça contender

Although the main favorite to be crowned in December as the best under-21 player is Désiré Doué, a PSG winger and treble champion, Cubarsí aims to maintain the culé tradition by becoming the fourth Barça player in five years to win the Golden Boy. Totally established in Barcelona´s defense —with 56 matches played last season— the 18-year-old center-back will try to emulate his teammates Pedri (2021), Gavi (2022), and Lamine Yamal (2024). Despite having won a national treble and being a key piece in Hansi Flick´s brave high defense, his position as a center-back could reduce his chances compared to more offensive players.

Strong presence of Real Madrid among the finalists

Real Madrid, for its part, has three representatives among the nominees, although two of them have not yet officially played with the first team. They are Franco Mastantuono, signed for around 63 million euros from River Plate, and Dean Huijsen, acquired from Bournemouth for about 60 million. The one who was part of the squad last season was Arda Güler, who is experiencing his best phase since arriving at the Bernabéu from Fenerbahçe. The Turk has established himself as a starter under Xabi Alonso and has already accumulated three goals and four assists so far this season, demonstrating why he is considered one of the most promising young talents in European football.