Barcelona have dominated the Golden Boy award in recent years with Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal all winning the prestigious accolade in a span of years.
Given La Masia’s golden run, however, the dominance was expected to continue this year as well with the star defender Pau Cubarsi named as one of the favourites to take home the accolade.
The UEFA Champions League final last weekend, however, changed matters for the frontrunner for PSG’s Desire Doue made a strong leap into the pole position after a stellar show against Inter Milan in the pinnacle clash.
Cubarsi praises the Frenchman
Speaking to the media (h/t Mundo Deportivo), the Barcelona teenage sensation opened up on the Golden Boy award and admitted that he both he and Doue are deserving winners.
“Taking the Golden Boy away from me is not going to be…. Doue had a magnificent Champions League final and I think either of us would be deserved for the season,” he said.
Opening up on the time he crossed paths with Doue last summer in the Olympics, he said,
“In those Olympic Games, I wanted to win that final, we played a magnificent game and we were able to take the gold home against France.”
Cubarsi then spoke on Ousmane Dembele who is said to be one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or.
“I did notice him because he could play on the left, on the right, cut, and go to space.”
“Although I don’t know if he’s a Ballon d’Or winner this year, then good, because he’s been perfect this season,” he added on Dembele’s Ballon d’Or chances.
The youngster was then asked to speak on potential signings for Barcelona in the summer, especially that of Joan Garcia which is running hot.
“I don’t follow anything about signings; we already have a very good squad and, if reinforcements come, good, and if in the preseason I meet some, good.”
“I have a good relationship with Joan Garcia after the Olympic Games, although I have not talked to him about this issue. If he comes, we will be happy,” he added about Garcia.
He did, however, insist that Barcelona already had great goalkeepers and that he would never make the switch to Espanyol given the enmity between the two Catalan teams.
“We already have very good goalkeepers.”
“I would not play in Espanyol. I am very well in Barça,” he added when asked if he would ever consider joining the Blaugrana’s bitter rivals.
Finally, the young phenom rated Barcelona’s recently concluded season and what he took away from it.
“A great season with a bittersweet taste from the Champions League. Next year we will go for everything.”
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