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Pau Cubarsi emerges as Ballon d'Or contender after World Cup success

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 20, 2026, 6:20 AM

Last updated Jul 20, 2026

Pau Cubarsi emerges as Ballon d'Or contender after World Cup success

Summary

Pau Cubarsi has been identified as a potential candidate for the Ballon d'Or following Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The strong performance of the Spanish defense, which conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, highlights Cubarsi's contributions. He was named Best Young Player and showcased impressive statistics, including 24 recoveries and a 96% pass accuracy. His performance parallels that of past winners, making his case compelling in a year without a clear favorite for the award. His achievements include securing the LaLiga title with Barcelona, adding weight to his Ballon d'Or aspirations.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina 1-0.
•Cubarsi was instrumental in defense, only conceding one goal throughout the tournament.
•He achieved 24 recoveries and a 96% pass accuracy during the World Cup.
•Cubarsi won the Best Young Player award and secured a LaLiga title with Barcelona.
•There is no clear frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or this year.

Latest Updates

6:20 AMYahoo Sports — The case for Pau Cubarsi to win the Ballon d’Or – explained in statistics

What they're saying

"
Spain added a second star to its badge after a nail-biting 1-0 win over Argentina in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.It was a well-deserved accolade for La Roja, who had by far been the best team...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Barcelona Champions League Soccer