Pair of Barcelona teenagers nominated for one of football's most prestigious awards

Every year, the illustrious award is given to the best U-21 talent across Europe, and FC Barcelona is fortunate to have two strong candidates, each nurtured within the walls of La Masia, the club’s legendary academy.

Both Yamal and Cubarsi broke into the first team under the guidance of former manager Xavi Hernandez, who was so impressed by the teenage duo in training, that he decided to deploy them with the senior squad. Xavi’s gutsy call, which caught some flack at first, turned out to be one of the most important decisions in recent Barcelona history. 

At the ripe age of 17, Pau Cubarsi’s rapid development into one of Europe’s most versatile center halves has been outright extraordinary, and his exceptional instincts have been on display again to begin the La Liga campaign. 

Standing at 6’0, Cubarsi combines physical presence in front of goal with an innate sense of positioning, making him a crucial component of Barcelona's buildup play. His performances have not only earned him a starting spot under new manager Hansi Flick but have also drawn comparisons to some of Barcelona’s all-time great defenders. 

Cubarsi’s stellar 2023/24 campaign extended beyond his play for his boyhood club into his international duties, as the teenager helped Spain’s U-23s secure an invincible gold medal during the Paris Olympics. 

Pau’s rise represents the arrival of a new era in Barca’s defense and just as Cubarsi is the club’s cornerstone defender, Lamine Yamal is the club’s attacking gift that will keep on giving for years to come.

The 17-year-old winger burst onto the scene last season, turning heads with his electrifying performances despite limited minutes. Then 16, the youngster made an instant impact every time he stepped foot on the pitch, prancing past defenders whilst keeping the ball on a string, and repeatedly setting his teammates up with pinpoint crosses into the box.

Like Cubarsi, Yamal shined even brighter on the global stage, putting together one of the most impressive individual runs in the history of the European Championship. Flanking some of the most decorated Spanish footballers including Rodri and Morata, young Lamine was arguably Spain’s important player, tallying four assists and scoring the goal of the tournament to help lead his nation to European glory. 

Yamal’s ascent has hit full-throttle to begin the new season for Barca, as he’s already racked up five goal contributions across his first four La Liga appearances. 

The dual nomination of Yamal and Cubarsi for the Kopa Trophy is a clear indication that Barcelona's future is in exceptional hands. The pair of 17-year-olds are poised to lead the transition into a new generation of Barcelona football, leaving an indelible mark on the club’s rich history along the way.