The 2026 Golden Boy shortlist is out, and Real Madrid have three names flying the Blanco flag. Tuttosport, the Italian outlet that organises one of football’s most celebrated awards for young talent, dropped the full list of nominees on Monday — and Los Blancos are well represented alongside their eternal rivals from the Catalan capital.
Who Made the Cut for Real Madrid?
Three Real Madrid players have earned their places on the shortlist. Summer arrival Yan Diomandé gets the nod, as does Brazilian striker Endrick, who has been turning heads since making the move to the Santiago Bernabéu. Rounding out the Madridista trio is Franco Mastantuono, the talented Blanco youngster currently on loan away from the club.
From across the Clásico divide, Barcelona can also boast three nominees: defender Pau Cubarsí, midfielder Marc Bernal, and forward Xavi Espart. Cubarsí in particular is being talked about as one of the frontrunners for the prize, having delivered a stunning summer tournament at the heart of Spain’s backline as La Roja lifted the World Cup. Real Sociedad’s Jon Martín also received a nomination, giving La Liga a strong overall presence on the shortlist.
The Golden Boy award, handed out annually by Tuttosport, recognises the best-performing player under the age of 21 who competes in one of Europe’s top leagues. It has an outstanding roll of honour — previous winners include Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Pedri, all of whom went on to become defining players of their generation at the highest level.
What This Means for Real Madrid’s Future
Having three players shortlisted for the same edition of the Golden Boy is a statement in itself. It reinforces what Madrid supporters have suspected for a while now: the club’s recruitment and development pipeline is stacked with genuine world-class potential. While former winners like Bellingham and Yamal serve as a reminder of just how elite this award’s alumni can become, the presence of Endrick, Diomandé, and Mastantuono on the list suggests the next generation of Bernabéu icons could already be taking shape.
Endrick’s nomination will feel particularly meaningful to the fanbase. The young Brazilian has always carried enormous expectation since his transfer from Palmeiras, and being recognised on a list like this — alongside some of the most coveted talents in European football — underlines the belief that his best years are still very much ahead of him. For Diomandé, a summer signing, a Golden Boy nomination this early in his Madrid career is a flying start that will only fuel excitement around his potential. Mastantuono’s inclusion, even while out on loan, shows the club hasn’t lost sight of his development either.
Historically, Real Madrid have had a complex relationship with the Golden Boy award. Bellingham, of course, became a winner before eventually becoming one of the most important players to pull on the white shirt in recent memory. The club knows better than most how quickly a Golden Boy nominee can become a genuine Ballon d’Or contender — and they’re backing themselves to have at least one of those stories unfolding again right now.
What’s Next?
The award itself will be handed out later in the year, giving the nominees time to build their cases further through club and international performances. For Real Madrid fans, there’s a real chance of celebrating one of their own lifting the trophy — and even if the winner ends up being Cubarsí or another rival, the sheer volume of Madridistas on the list is cause for optimism about where this squad is heading.
Keep it locked on RMxtra as the Golden Boy race heats up and the shortlist narrows down. This is one award worth watching closely — and Real Madrid are right in the mix.
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