The conclusion of the 2026 North American World Cup has brought the race for football’s highest individual honor into focus. Because major international tournaments heavily influence voting cycles, analysts expect the winner of the men’s prize to emerge from the triumphant Spanish national squad, with captain Rodri and 19-year-old Lamine Yamal positioned as the leading contenders.
Lamine Yamal Projected for Multiple Wins
The artificial intelligence model forecasts the Barcelona winger to take the award in 2026, 2029, and 2032.
Future Winners Across the Next Decade
The AI model projects a shifting landscape of global talent following the record-setting eight wins of Lionel Messi. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé is projected to claim a single award in 2027, according to GiveMeSport.
The projected recipients spanning the 15-year forecast include:
- 2026: Lamine Yamal (Spain / Barcelona)
- 2027: Kylian Mbappé (France / Real Madrid)
- 2028: Jamal Musiala (Germany / Bayern Munich)
- 2029: Lamine Yamal (Spain / Barcelona)
- 2030: Endrick (Brazil / Real Madrid)
- 2031: Florian Wirtz (Germany / Liverpool)
- 2032: Lamine Yamal (Spain / Barcelona)
- 2033: Estêvão Willian (Brazil / Chelsea)
- 2034: Désiré Doué (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
- 2035: Pau Cubarsí (Spain / Barcelona)
- 2036: Warren Zaïre-Emery (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
- 2037: Arda Güler (Türkiye / Real Madrid)
- 2038: Claudio Echeverri (Argentina / Manchester City)
- 2039: Franco Mastantuono (Argentina / Real Madrid)
- 2040: Kobbie Mainoo (England / Manchester United)
Pau Cubarsí and the Rare Defensive Recognition
The AI projection singles out 19-year-old central defender Pau Cubarsí as the projected 2035 winner, highlighting a rare milestone for defensive players in voting history.
The publication noted that if Cubarsí maintains his trajectory as a core pillar for both Spain and Barcelona, he could join Franz Beckenbauer and Cannavaro as rare defensive recipients of the honor.
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