2026 Ballon d'Or: AI reveals the likely winner

In recent hours, artificial intelligence has named its favorite for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

According to predictions from French consultancy AVISIA, which specializes in data and AI, Lamine Yamal would top the voting with a 23% chance of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The young Spanish star is ahead of Harry Kane (21%) and Kylian Mbappé (19%).

Rodri and Lionel Messi complete the Top 5 with 19% and 18% probabilities, respectively. It should be noted that, to establish this ranking, the model cross-references individual and team performances, the players’ media profile, as well as historical trends in the voting system.

A reassuring prediction

AVISIA relied on a prediction model based on a classification algorithm called Random Forest. It compares different scenarios using data from its Player Index. The consultancy says it correctly identified the five players in the Top 5 for the 2025 edition, won by Ousmane Dembélé, and also claims a 75% success rate in its predictions for the 2026 World Cup.

Read also: 2026 World Cup - Egypt: Hossam Hassan sanctioned by FIFA

Having won the 2026 World Cup, the AI therefore puts the FC Barcelona prodigy in pole position, without guaranteeing him the triumph.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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