Spanish national team defender Pau Cubarsi completed his country's success in leading the 2026 World Cup by winning the tournament's Best Young Player award. The 19-year-old defender's impressive performances throughout the competition proved a key pillar of La Furia Roja's defense.
Cubarsi played every minute of Spain's 2026 World Cup campaign, including their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, on Monday. His consistent performances were a key factor in Spain's second World Cup title, following their triumph in 2010.
The defender, a graduate of Barcelona's La Masia academy, clocked up 750 minutes of full-time play throughout the tournament, excluding added time or injury time. This was the most minutes in the Spanish squad and put him ahead of teammate Lamine Yamal in the race for the Best Young Player award.
Yamal did indeed steal the spotlight, contributing one goal and one assist during the tournament. However, the young winger only managed 615 minutes of playing time, while Cubarsi has consistently been coach Luis de la Fuente's first-choice central defender.
