There have been 47 winners since the contentious award’s birth in 1956, when Sir Stanley Matthews raised the Ballon d’Or in the air for the first time. Consider the greats of the past, such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten, as well as Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and Rodri, who came to prominence during the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era.
However, the two named above are no longer playing football in Europe, which has significantly diminished their prospects of winning the title of best football player in the world. Because we are living in a new era, fans will be rewarded with new winners in the years to come. The most recent recipient is 2025 winner Ousmane Dembele.
Since it is extremely difficult and nearly impossible to predict who will win the Ballon d’Or over the next 15 years, we have turned to artificial intelligence (AI), which has made predictions about the winners of football’s largest individual prize between 2026 and 2040. Let’s examine AI’s prognosis in more detail, starting with Lamine Yamal and ending with Kylian Mbappe.
2026’s Kylian Mbappe
The individual honours will keep coming in if the aforementioned Mbappe, who is considered to be among the top football players in the world, keeps scoring goals at his startling rate. The Ballon d’Or is now absent from his trophy cabinet, but it can be added in the future if Real Madrid can regain their position as the best team in Europe. According to AI, 2026 will be the scorching Frenchman’s year.
Yamal Lamine (2027)
The one and only Yamal, a complete nightmare down Barcelona’s right-hand side, is (rightfully!) regarded as Lionel Messi’s heir at the Catalan team. Like the Argentine, he has swept the football world off its feet, and it’s probably just a matter of time until he takes home the Ballon d’Or. He would become the youngest football player in history to win it in 2027, as AI has projected.
2028 Erling Haaland
Since moving to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, Erling Haaland has scored a tonne of goals at a startling pace, hasn’t he? The 25-year-old Norwegian talisman has scored 131 goals in 152 games for the Premier League team, but does that suggest a potential Ballon d’Or is in his sights? Possibly, although it might not happen until City’s second Champions League victory.
Bellingham, Jude (2029)
Jude Bellingham is rarely in the spotlight because he plays for Real Madrid, a team full of celebrities, but his outstanding goal total in his debut season demonstrated just how talented he is. Bellingham will undoubtedly be there or close to it in the Ballon d’Or rankings for many years to come if he can lead England to international success.
Yamal Lamine, 2030
Once more, him. At the age of 18, Yamal, who has broken numerous records at his feet, is now a full-fledged Spain international. AI has predicted that if he keeps up his current level of dominance in football, he would win the Ballon d’Or twice by 2030.
Osimhen Victor (2031)
All of this would rely on Victor Osimhen eventually joining a major European team, wouldn’t it? The Nigerian striker has played for teams like Napoli, Galatasaray, LOSC Lille, and Wolfsburg over his career; however, joining Chelsea or Manchester United, two teams he has previously been connected to, would improve his chances. According to AI, he will win the title of best football player in the world shortly after the year 2031.
Desire Doue (2032)
You’ll understand Desire Doue’s brilliance when you discover that his name translates to ‘Desired Gifted’ in English. The diminutive winger, who graduated from the Stade Rennais academy, has made defenders all over Europe laugh since joining Paris Saint-Germain. The question now is if he can advance his reputation.
Pedri (2033)
It makes sense that people like Yamal enjoy the limelight, but don’t let that take your attention away from Pedri’s extraordinary talent. Criminally underappreciated, he undoubtedly plays a significant role for Hansi Flick and company at Barcelona. However, can he defy expectations like his countryman Rodri and win the Ballon d’Or as a centre midfielder? AI appears to agree, and he will do so in 2033, when he will be 30 years old and more experienced.
Yamal Lamine (2034)
Speaking of Yamal, who has been the talk of the town lately, AI projects that he will win his third, but not his final, Ballon d’Or prize in 2034. Even though that’s almost ten years later, the world-beating Spaniard will still be younger than thirty. Yamal’s father actually said that “something very strange has happened” after PSG winger-turned-striker Dembele defeated him for the 2025 honour.
Rio Ngumoha, 2035
Rio Ngumoha, who is only 17 years old, has a good chance of becoming one of the greatest football players in the world in the years to come if his game-winning goal in the 100th minute against Newcastle United this season is any indication. According to AI, he will win the 2035 Ballon d’Or. Because of his talent, Liverpool was able to steal his services from Chelsea, and the Reds will be giddy with laughter.
Endrick (2036)
Endrick may not have had the best start to his Real Madrid career, despite being considered one of the best kids in the world of football. The young player recorded eight goal contributions in his debut season (seven goals and one assist), and if he continues on his current trajectory, he will have a prosperous career at the top. He has already earned 14 caps for Brazil, and 2036 will be his year. That’s what AI has predicted for the elusive 19-year-old, however.
Max Dowman, 2037
Arsenal supporters are enamoured with 15-year-old Max Dowman, who is widely regarded as one of the best English kids in world football. Based on his performances for the senior team and in the club’s youth divisions, it’s simple to understand why. The forward, who plays delicately, is going to have a great career for England and Arsenal (if he stays). According to AI, that will lead to the Ballon d’Or being raised in 2037.
Lamine Yamal – 2038
Once more. Even if Yamal wins an impressive four Ballon d’Or over the next 15 years, he will still be five awards behind Messi and one behind Ronaldo. However, Yamal’s name would keep coming up if the typical football fan had to pick who will rule the game for the next fifteen years. It should come as no surprise considering what he has accomplished so far.
Quenda, Geovany (2039)
Geovany Quenda, who became one of the most sought-after young players in the world after graduating from Sporting CP’s academy, decided to join Chelsea over Manchester United in March 2025. The Bissau-born player is expected to win the Ballon d’Or 13 years after he formally joins the Blues’ lavishly built ranks in the summer of 2026.
Franco Mastantuono – 2040
Real Madrid welcomed Franco Mastantuono with the intention of making him a future star, but the Argentinean teenager has made such an impression that he is now fairly essential to Xabi Alonso and his team. What are his prospects of becoming the best football player in the world if he keeps up his current good trajectory?
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