@FootynewsThe Ballon d'Or shortlist conversation is missing a name that the actual numbers keep insisting on. Pau Cubarsí isn't the flashiest pick in the room, and the media coverage has mostly looked past him. But look at what the 19-year-old actually did. A League title with Barcelona. A Supercopa with Barcelona. Then a WORLD CHAMPION medal with Spain. He came out of that tournament as the best defender, and the backline he organized gave up just one goal across eight matches. Spain's run to the title also went past Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi along the way. None of that is a media-friendly résumé. It's just a winning one. So when the criteria are performance, impact, and titles, his case belongs in the Ballon d'Or discussion whether or not the spotlight finds him. #PauCubarsi #CristianoRonaldo

@FootynewsThe Ballon d'Or shortlist conversation is missing a name that the actual numbers keep insisting on. Pau Cubarsí isn't the flashiest pick in the room, and the media coverage has mostly looked past him. But look at what the 19-year-old actually did. A League title with Barcelona. A Supercopa with Barcelona. Then a WORLD CHAMPION medal with Spain. He came out of that tournament as the best defender, and the backline he organized gave up just one goal across eight matches. Spain's run to the title also went past Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi along the way. None of that is a media-friendly résumé. It's just a winning one. So when the criteria are performance, impact, and titles, his case belongs in the Ballon d'Or discussion whether or not the spotlight finds him. #PauCubarsi #CristianoRonaldo