Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí lead the race for the Golden Boy 2025

Tuttosport, the prestigious Italian sports newspaper, announced this Wednesday the first list of 100 players nominated for the Golden Boy 2025, an award that, it is worth remembering, recognizes the best U-21 footballer in the world. Currently, the award is in the hands of Lamine Yamal, who won it last year, establishing himself as the best young player on the planet, without any discussion.

As it could not be otherwise, the right winger of FC Barcelona, who has had an impeccable 2024/25 season, leads this first classification. Individually, he scored 18 goals and provided 25 assists in 55 matches, and collectively he has been a key player in winning the National Treble with Barça (LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa).

FC BARCELONA PLAYERS WHO HAVE WON THE GOLDEN BOY:

1. Leo Messi - 2005
2. Pedri González - 2021
3. Gavi - 2022
4. Lamine Yamal - 2024

His performance has earned him a score of 97.7 in the ranking prepared by Football Benchmark. However, having already won the award, Lamine Yamal cannot win this prestigious award again, so his presence at the top of the list is merely symbolic.

Pau Cubarsí: the great candidate 'made in Barça' for the Golden Boy 2025

In that sense, the best-positioned player to win the award for the best U-21 footballer in the world —and who is also a Barça player— is the 18-year-old defender, Pau Cubarsí. This season he has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the world and has been key in winning all the trophies won by Barcelona.

'Cuba', who in this first installment of the ranking, obtained a score of 95.4, ended up being, in this 2024/25 season, one of the immovable players in Hansi Flick's starting lineup, accumulating 56 matches played (4213 minutes). In addition to contributing one goal and four assists to his cause.

Golden Boy 2025 Ranking: these are the 10 best-positioned players

Below is the complete list of the 10 best-positioned players in this first European Golden Boy Index 2025, corresponding to the month of May. A classification that is subject to modifications in future updates:

It should be remembered that the award is usually presented in December, but this first ranking already offers a very good perspective of the favorites to win the award.

In turn, it is important to mention that Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí are not the only Barça players present in this list. A little further down is Héctor Fort, in 43rd position. We will have to see how many movements occur in the coming months, both for the Barcelona players and for the rest of the young talents that make up this 'top' full of young stars.