Lamine Yamal, a 19-year-old talisman from Barcelona, is the decided favorite with a 69 percent chance, while his Spanish teammate Pau Cubarsi, also 19, is at 30 percent, according to traders at Polymarket.
The Young Player of the Tournament award is given to the competition's most outstanding player aged 21 or younger. Established in 2006, the award has historically seen winners from teams other than the ultimate champions, with only two recipients coming from the World Cup-winning squad: Kylian Mbappe in 2018 and Enzo Fernandez in 2022.
Despite being the favorite, Yamal has contributed only one goal in seven matches and has yet to record an assist. While his overall play has been praised, his limited offensive statistics could impact voters' perceptions, especially if Spain does not win the tournament.
In contrast, Pau Cubarsi has been a standout performer in Spain's defense, which has conceded only one goal throughout the tournament. Cubarsi has played every minute of every game, demonstrating consistent high-level play against formidable opponents such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Romelu Lukaku, and Kylian Mbappe.
SOURCE1 suggests that while Yamal is the more recognized star, Cubarsi's consistent defensive excellence makes him a more deserving candidate for the award.