Golden Boy: Can Zaïre-Emery Succeed Doué?

One year after Désiré Doué’s triumph, can France retain the Golden Boy award? Tuttosport unveiled the 25 finalists for the 2026 edition on Monday. Three French players remain in contention, including PSG midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery. However, the competition looks particularly strong, with Pau Cubarsi the clear favourite after his outstanding World Cup campaign with Spain.

Paris Saint-Germain can dream of back-to-back victories. After Désiré Doué won the Golden Boy in 2025, the Parisian club now has Warren Zaïre-Emery among the 25 players selected by Tuttosport for the 2026 edition. At 20, the France international will attempt to keep the trophy in the French capital. He is not the only French contender, with Borussia Dortmund centre-back Joane Gadou and Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi also making the shortlist.

Cubarsi Emerges as the Golden Boy Favourite

The task looks extremely difficult for the PSG midfielder, however. Pau Cubarsi appears to have a significant advantage over his rivals. The FC Barcelona defender made a huge impression during Spain’s victorious 2026 World Cup campaign and is widely regarded as the leading candidate for the award. The competition also includes Ayyoub Bouaddi, now at Manchester City, Real Madrid’s Yan Diomandé, Chelsea’s Estêvão and Endrick.

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The 25 nominees for the 2026 Golden Boy are: Pau Cubarsi (FC Barcelona), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Manchester City), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG), Yan Diomandé (Real Madrid), Luka Vuskovic (Brighton), Victor Froholdt (FC Porto), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Rayan (Bournemouth), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Estêvão (Chelsea), Endrick (Real Madrid), Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund), Saïd El Mala (Cologne), Jon Martín (Real Sociedad), Marc Bernal (FC Barcelona), Kerim Alajbegovic (Juventus), Finn Jeltsch (Stuttgart), Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton), Joane Gadou (Borussia Dortmund), Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina), Rodrigo Mora (AS Roma) and Xavi Espart (FC Barcelona).