Pau Cubarsi to miss Ballon d’Or ceremony after Barcelona defender feels unwell

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi will not travel to London for Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, despite being shortlisted for the prestigious individual award and being among the leading contenders for the Kopa Trophy.

The news was reported by Spanish radio programme El Partidazo de COPE, presented by Juanma Castano. Journalist Helena Condis said the 19-year-old needed rest and time away from the spotlight after finishing the clasico against Real Madrid with a slight fever.

Cubarsi’s decision comes just hours before the 2026 Ballon d’Or event and has attracted attention because of his nominations in two categories. He is on the shortlist for the main award and is also strongly considered for the Kopa Trophy, which is presented to the best young player in the world.

The Barcelona defender has enjoyed an outstanding season for both his club and Spain. He helped the national side 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.

Cubarsi had been viewed as one of the principal candidates for the Kopa Trophy. His absence from the ceremony could lead to increased speculation over the outcome, particularly because Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal is also among the nominees. Yamal won the award in 2024 and 2025.

However, Cubarsi’s decision not to attend does not necessarily mean he has failed to win either prize. The winners have not been announced officially before the ceremony, while the stated reason for his absence is his need to recover after suffering 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.

Barcelona are scheduled to face Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on 31 October 2026. Racing Santander are also listed for a La Liga fixture on 1 November 2026, when Real Madrid are listed among the teams involved.

The decision to remain in Barcelona means Cubarsi will not attend the ceremony in person, but his nominations keep him central to the evening’s main discussion. The identity of the winners in the Ballon d’Or and Kopa Trophy categories remains unknown until the presentation.