Pau Cubarsi (right) was the first defender to win the award since Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt in 2018 and only the second since the award's inception in 2003. (EPA Images pic)BARCELONA: Barcelona teenager Pau Cubarsi capped a highly successful year for club and country by winning the Golden Boy award two months shy of his 20th birthday.

Cubarsi was instrumental in Spain's World Cup triumph, picking up the Fifa Young Player of the Tournament award. He anchored the Barcelona defence as they won a second consecutive LaLiga title.

The Golden Boy award is decided by votes from journalists and is given to the best young player over a calendar year. Players must be under 21 and play in a top European division to qualify for it.