Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí won the Golden Boy award for Europe’s best player under 21, succeeding Paris Saint-Germain’s Désiré Doué. The 19-year-old became the sixth Spanish winner of the prize, after Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Pedri, Isco and Cesc Fàbregas.

Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato, formerly of Ajax, was among the 25 nominees but did not win. A player can receive the award only once; Yamal, who won in 2024, was therefore not eligible.