19-year-old Spanish center-back Pau Cubarsí named Best Young Player of 2026 World Cup

Updated: July 21, 2026 — 17:56 CEST

Football always needs nods from destiny. Pau Cubarsí received one almost at the last minute at the MetLife in New York. With Argentina desperate and attacking for the only sustained spell of the match, Cubarsí saved a dangerous cross from Giuliano Simeone in extremis. Heroically, he cleared with his left leg a ball that slipped between the post and Unai Simón. It seemed impossible that the ball would not end up inside. To be a world champion, however, that little help from the gods is as necessary as being the best.

Cubarsí deserved that the wind pushed that ball out of Unai's goal to crown an incredible final — a 96% pass accuracy from 121 passes, 21 of them breaking lines, plus six clearances. Above all, he sustained an incredible World Cup backed by a cascade of data. In the five knockout matches — where the truth is played — Cubarsí was the second center-back with the most quick recoveries (21), surpassed only by the 'master' Laporte (27).

He was also the center-back with the most dribbles (60, ahead of Lisandro's 51) and the one who attempted and completed the most passes in those knockout rounds (362 correct out of 387). In a World Cup where no one dared to shoot from outside the area, he did so twice. One more devastating fact: he was fouled more times (4) than he committed fouls in the knockout rounds (3). Against France and Argentina, he did not commit a single foul.

It has not just been about numbers. It has also been about feelings. His chemistry with the 'master Laporte' was wonderful and essential to the structure of the National Team.

Consecration at the World Cup

The World Cup has been his consecration, but this had been brewing at Barça, where he signed a season of progression that reached superlative levels. Hansi Flick, the coach who helped mold the center-back, said in a press conference: "He is the Lamine of the defense."

At barely 19 years old, Cubarsí has already played 128 matches for Barça. At that age, only Lamine surpasses him — and Lamine is on another planet. With the National Team, he adds 20 caps. Only Gavi (26) and Lamine (33) surpass him in appearances before turning 20.

Rest and Recognition

Cubarsí now takes some well-deserved vacations. He will need them. Since last August, he has played almost 5,200 minutes. Of the 83 players aged 21 or under who went to the World Cup, he ends the season as the one who played the most minutes and third in total matches (62), behind Güler (63) and Nico O’Reilly (65).

Life is going to change for Cubarsí. "I may not be media-friendly, but I'm already getting in," he said, sitting at the Cotton Bowl on the day he gave an interview to AS on the eve of the semifinal. The most incredible thing is that the best of that tournament was yet to come.

From a working-class family — the Fusteria Cubarsí, founded in 1905, is an institution in Estanyol — it is unlikely that fame will go to his head.

By Juan Jiménez Editor-in-Chief of AS. Contributor to AS (2000–04), Málaga Hoy, and Section Head in Málaga. Delegate for Andalusia (2009–2012). Collaborated in the digital-print integration of AS in Madrid. Covers Barça and the national basketball team. Three Olympic Games. Contributor to SER, Canal Sur, and Gol.