Italian newspaper Tuttosport has revealed the 25 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy award, which honours the best under-21 player in European football. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi leads the shortlist and is regarded as one of the leading contenders for the prize.

Eight of the 25 finalists play in the Premier League, including Manchester City’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, Chelsea’s Estevao and Jorrel Hato, and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. Also on the list are Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery, Real Madrid’s Endrick and Yan Diomande, and Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl.

Last year’s winner was Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue. Lamine Yamal, who won the award in 2024, is ineligible to win it again. The initial longlist of 100 players was narrowed through the year, with Cubarsi appearing as the favourite when the top 10 was revealed in September. The award has previously gone to stars like Jude Bellingham, Gavi, Pedri and Erling Haaland this decade. The 2026 winner will be announced later in the year.