the controversial award’s inception in 1956, when Sir Stanley Matthews held the Ballon d’Or aloft for the first time, there have been a total of 47 different winners. Think Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten from back in the day to Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Rodri that have won it amid the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era of dominance.
The aforementioned duo, however, are no longer plying their trade in Europe, which has dramatically reduced their chances of being crowned the best footballer in the world. It’s a new era; and that, therefore, means that supporters are going to be blessed with brand-new winners in the coming years. Ousmane Dembele, the winner in 2025, is the latest recipient.
Predicting who, over the next 15 years, will be crowned the winner of the Ballon d’Or is a thankless – and practically impossible! – task and that’s why we’ve entrusted the help of AI, who have guessed the winners of the football’s biggest individual prize between 2026 and 2040. From Lamine Yamal to Kylian Mbappe, let’s take a closer look at AI’s prediction.
Kylian Mbappe – 2026
Should the aforementioned Mbappe – widely regarded as one of the best footballers in the world – continue scoring at the alarming rate that he is, the individual awards will continue to swarm in. At the time of writing, one that is missing from his silverware cabinet is the Ballon d’Or, but that could be added in the years to come if Real Madrid can return to European supremacy. AI have predicted that 2026 will be the blistering Frenchman’s year.
Lamine Yamal – 2027
An utter terror down Barcelona’s right-hand side, the one and only Yamal is (righfully!) seen as the heir to Lionel Messi at the Catalan club. He, similarly to the Argentine, has taken the football world by storm – and it’s likely only a matter of time until he wins the Ballon d’Or. Should he win it in 2027, like AI has predicted, he’d become the youngest-ever player in football history to do so.
Erling Haaland – 2028
Erling Haaland, ever since swapping Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City in the summer of 2022, has netted an abundance of goals at an alarming rate, hasn’t he? The Norwegian talisman, now 25 years of age, has scored 131 strikes in 152 outings for the Premier League club; but does that mean a Ballon d’Or is waiting for him in the future? Perhaps, but it may take until City win the Champions League for the second time in their history.
Jude Bellingham – 2029
By virtue of the fact that Jude Bellingham is playing for a star-studded Real Madrid, he is seldom in the spotlight but his talent, as evidenced by his eye-catching goal tally in his maiden season, proved that he is immensely talented. If he can guide England to international glory, Bellingham will no doubt be there or thereabouts in the Ballon d’Or rankings for years to come.
Lamine Yamal – 2030
Him, again. Yamal, who has left plenty of records in ruins at his feet, is now a fully-fledged Spain international at the age of 18 – and, if he continues to dominate football like he’s expected to, AI have forecasted that he’ll become a two-time Ballon d’Or winner by the time 2030 comes around.
Victor Osimhen – 2031

This would all depend on whether Victor Osimhen finally moves to a big club in Europe, wouldn’t it? At the time of writing, the Nigerian hitman has played for the likes of Napoli, Galatasaray, LOSC Lille and Wolfsburg throughout his career; but moving to Chelsea or Manchester United, two clubs that he’s been linked to before, would increase his chances. AI have predicted that he will be crowned world football’s best player just after the turn of the decade in 2031.
Desire Doue – 2032
Desire Doue’s talent makes sense once you come to realise that his name means ‘Desired Gifted’ when translated into English. A Stade Rennais academy graduate, the compact winger has made a mockery of defenders across Europe since moving to Paris Saint-Germain, but it’s all about whether he can take his name to the next step.
Pedri – 2033

The likes of Yamal, understandably, bask in the spotlight but don’t let that distract you from Pedri’s immense talent. Criminally underrated, he is no doubt influential for Hansi Flick and Co at Barcelona – but can he buck the trend like his compatriot Rodri and be a central midfielder who wins the Ballon d’Or? AI seems to think so, and he’ll do so in 2033 when he’s at the ripe old age of 30 and more seasoned.
Lamine Yamal – 2034
Talking of Yamal, the name on everybody’s lips recently, AI predicts him to win his third – but not final (more on that later!) – Ballon d’Or trophy in 2034. That’s nearly a decade along the road but, given his tender age, the world-beating Spaniard will still be under the age of 30. In fact, Yamal’s father claimed that “something very strange has happened” after he was beaten to the 2025 award by PSG winger-turned-striker Dembele.
Rio Ngumoha – 2035
If the teenage sensation’s 100th-minute winner against Newcastle United this season is anything to go by, there is every chance that Rio Ngumoha – who is still just 17 years of age – could be one of world football’s best in years to come. AI have predicted him to win the Ballon d’Or in 2035. Liverpool managed to poach his services from Chelsea and the Reds will be laughing all the way to the bank given the talent he possesses.
Endrick – 2036
Endrick, widely regarded as one of the best teenagers in world football, may not have enjoyed the best start to his Real Madrid career. In his maiden campaign, the youngster notched eight goal contributions (seven goals and one assist) and is set to have a successful career at the top if he stays on track. A 14-cap Brazil international already, 2036 will be his year. Or, at least, that’s what AI has forecasted for the tricky 19-year-old.
Max Dowman – 2037
Commonly admired as one of the best English teenagers in world football, 15-year-old Max Dowman has Arsenal fans in a chokehold – and going off his performances, both in the club’s youth ranks and for the senior team, it’s easy to see why. Dainty in his style of play, the forward is destined to have a huge career for both Arsenal (should he stay put) and England. AI believe that will result in holding the Ballon d’Or aloft in 2037.
Lamine Yamal – 2038
Again. Over the next 15 years, Yamal is expected to win an eye-catching four Ballon d’Or; but that would still mean that he will be five awards off Messi and one off Ronaldo. Though, if the average football fan was to guess who’d dominate football over the next 15-year period, Yamal would be a name that would come up time and time again. It’s very little surprise given what he’s managed to achieve thus far.
Geovany Quenda – 2039
In March 2025, Geovany Quenda – who rose through Sporting CP’s academy to become one of the most sought-after youngsters in the world – chose to join Chelsea over Manchester United. He’ll officially join in the summer of 2026 to become a part of the Blues’ expensively-assembled ranks – and 13 years later, the Bissau-born star has been predicted to win the Ballon d’Or.
Franco Mastantuono – 2040

The signature of Franco Mastantuono was welcomed by Real Madrid with the plan to be one for the future, but the Argentinian youngster has impressed so much that he’s become somewhat indispensable for Xabi Alonso and his entourage. Should he continue on such a promising trajectory, what are the chances that he will be the crème da le crème in world football?
