Pau Cubarsi will not travel to London for Monday’s 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, despite being shortlisted for the main award and considered one of the leading contenders for the Kopa Trophy.
The Barcelona defender’s decision was reported by El Partidazo de COPE, presented by Juanma Castano on Spanish radio station COPE.
Journalist Helena Condis said Cubarsi needed rest and time away from public attention after finishing the clasico against Real Madrid with a slight fever. His absence comes only hours before the ceremony and is not being presented as a sign that he has been ruled out of contention for either prize.
Cubarsi is among the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual award in football, while he is also strongly tipped for the Kopa Trophy, given to the world’s best young player.
The Spain international enjoyed an outstanding season for both Barcelona and his national team. He helped Spain win the 2026 World Cup and was named the tournament’s best young player, further strengthening his reputation as one of the leading emerging talents in world football.
His decision not to attend could nevertheless prompt speculation about the identity of the Kopa Trophy winner. Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal is also among the contenders after winning the award in both 2024 and 2025.
Cubarsi’s absence does not necessarily mean he has lost either award. The winners have not been officially announced before the ceremony, and the stated reason for his decision is his need to recover after experiencing a slight rise in temperature following the clasico.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday evening, 26 October, at the London Palladium. This year’s event will mark the 70th anniversary of the award and will reveal the winners across the various categories.
The fixtures listed alongside the report include Barcelona in La Liga on 31 October against Deportivo Alaves, while Racing Santander and Real Madrid are also listed in connection with La Liga fixtures on 01 November.
