{
  "id": 19402819,
  "title": "Cubarsi wins Golden Boy award",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/cubarsi-wins-golden-boy-award",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-10T22:00:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/11/1575064/cubarsi-wins-golden-boy-award"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Barcelona teen Pau Cubarsi clinched the prestigious Golden Boy award on the cusp of his 20th birthday, marking a standout year for both his club and the Spanish national team. Cubarsi played a pivotal role in Spain's World Cup victory, earning the FIFA Young Player of the Tournament accolade. As the dependable anchor for Barcelona's defense, the club triumphed in their second consecutive LaLiga title. The Golden Boy accolade is awarded by journalist votes to the most outstanding young player from a calendar year, requiring players to be under 21 and playing in a top European division. Expressing his pride, Cubarsi thanked voters during a video broadcast at the awards ceremony. He emphasized, \"It's been a spectacular year and we're going for more.\" The 19-year-old made history as the first defender to claim the award since 2018, and only the second since the award's inception in 2003. Defenders often face a challenge in gaining recognition, as forwards usually grab the spotlight due to their goal-scoring and assist-providing prowess. Spain's exceptional World Cup performance, where they conceded just one goal, saw Cubarsi carrying on the legacy of Barcelona comrades Lamine Yamal, Gavi, and Pedri, all Golden Boy winners since 2021. Real Madrid's Felicia Schroeder took home the Golden Girl award.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pau Cubarsi wins Golden Boy award at age 19",
    "Barcelona and Spain win consecutive titles",
    "First defender to win since 2018"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}