As the 2026 Ballon d’ Or nominations draw close, a serious debate has emerged. Footballers and pundits are not fully convinced about an undisputed favorite, unlike previous years. While most attackers have become the center of attraction, the true winner can be just a 19-year-old centre-back.
To precede Cubarsi, let’s analyse other key attackers of 2026:
Harry Kane: The striker impressed at the domestic level with his 2026 record-breaking season with Bayern Munich. Also the leading goalscorer in the team, Kane played an important role in the English side reaching the World Cup semi-finals where Argentina knocked them out.
Lamine Yamal: The Golden Boy enjoyed an extraordinary club season at Barcelona and became a World cup-winning wonder with the Spanish side.
Kylian Mbappe: The perennial attacker continued to lead the front, scoring ten goals to claim the 2026 World Cup Golden boot.
Lionel Messi: Still a strong favorite at 39, Messi delivered at the World cup, carrying Argentina to the final game against Spain single-handedly. With his eight goals and four assists, his ability was recognised by fans and media all over the world.
Having said all that, do not neglect Pau Cubarsi.
The best defender in the world
Young Cubarsi, at 19, is considered one of the best defenders in global football. His performance at FC Barcelona has not gone unrecognized, but he elevated it to a much higher level in the Spanish national team. As Spain went through the 2026 World Cup, he was their strong defensive base as they only conceded a single goal throughout the entire competition.
Rightly acknowledged for his incredible performance on the field, Cubarsi was named the Best Young Player at the tournament, leading them to the title as part of the youngest starting back line to lift the World Cup at 19 years, 5 months.
He not only participated in the tournament, but he dominated, leading it from the back. A typical modern-day defender, he’s defensively brilliant, composed under pressure, and has vision that would shame many a central midfielder.
Eclipse Cannavaro’s feat in 2006
With defenders usually not regarded in such high-esteem like attackers in the race for The Ballon d’Or, Cubarsi has an uphill battle. Afterall, Fabio Cannavaro became the last defender to win the acclaimed award in 2006, at a ripe young age of 32. According to me, Cubarsi’s performances in 2026 surpass even Cannavaro in his peak year.
For a young teenager to dominate such a big stage, controlling the game from the centre back with confidence and nullifying all potential threats from some of the world’s most talented strikers, demands something extra from the extraordinary.
If Pau Cubarsi cannot win the prize by the standards mentioned above, for leading a dominant defence in World cup history, bringing home gold, and earning young player honor, I’m not sure who can.
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