FC Barcelona have always been a place where youth players have thrived in the first team, thanks to La Masia. The Spanish club is no stranger to having their academy graduates win the Golden Boy award.
Pedri, although not an academy graduate won the Golden Boy award in 2021. Gavi won it the following year. Going back in years, club legend Lionel Messi was a proud recipient of the award in 2005.
It looks like the trend is set to continue this year with Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal. As per SPORT, the two 17-year-olds are in the top 10 rankings as things stand with Yamal leading the pack and Cubarsi currently eighth.
It is not a surprise to see Yamal ranked number one on the list. The Spanish youngster had a frankly unbelievable season with Barcelona and carried his form onto the international stage with Spain in the Euros which his nation won.
Cubarsi on the other hand broke into the Barcelona first team only in the second half of last season and did not look back. He was a regular starter for Xavi Hernandez since his debut and also got called up to the Olympics with Spain where he is set to take Morocco on in the semifinals.
In the latest August 2024 Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index, Yamal currently has a rating of 94.4, closely trailed by Joao Neves who has a rating of 93.4. Pau Cubarsi meanwhile has a rating of 83.5.
With still some time to go before the award is announced, Pau Cubarsi could climb up the ranks if he continues performing in a similar vein. However, no one looks to have a chance to pip Lamine Yamal to the award this time.
It is interesting to note that no Real Madrid player is featured in the top 10 of these rankings. Despite an impressive end to last season and a decent Euros, Arda Guler can only find himself 12th on the list.
After all that he has done and considering his age, Yamal totally deserves the recognition. Being just 17, Cubarsi has more time to win the award. Judging by the way the pre-season is going, Marc Bernal might also join this list in the coming years.
Regardless, the future is bright for FC Barcelona. Let’s hope the club can continue the trend of producing Golden Boys for the years to come.
