October 20, 2026
The French office “Avicia”, which specializes in data analysis and artificial intelligence, revealed its predictions for the identity of the winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, a few days before the start of the official ceremony scheduled to be held on the twenty-sixth of this October.
According to expectations, the Spanish Lamine Jamal, the Barcelona striker, topped the list of candidates with a percentage of 23%, slightly ahead of the English Harry Kane, the Bayern Munich striker, who came in second place with a percentage of 21%.
In third place, Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, the Real Madrid striker, and Spanish Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, shared the same percentage at 19% each, while Argentine Lionel Messi came in fifth place with 18%.
These predictions were based on an advanced artificial intelligence model, which comprehensively analyzed the players’ performance with their clubs and national teams, as well as measuring their media presence and studying voting trends in previous editions of the award.
The curtain is scheduled to fall on the competition and the identity of the winner will be officially decided on Monday, October 26, during the ceremony that will be held on the stage of the “London Palladium”, amid widespread anticipation for a feverish competition between the elite of international football stars.
