GOAL reported on 26 October that Spanish newspaper Sport published artificial intelligence forecasts for the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards, with Lamine Yamal tipped to win the men's prize. The 70th edition of the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is being held at the London Palladium on Monday 26 October.
Men's award prediction
GOAL reported that artificial intelligence did the forecasting and Sport published the results. In those predictions, Lamine Yamal is top of the list for the men's Ballon d'Or, Harry Kane is predicted to finish second and Rodri is predicted to finish third.
GOAL reported that the predictions do not have Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé in the top three for the men's Ballon d'Or.
Women's award prediction
GOAL reported that Alexia Putellas is forecast to win the women's Ballon d'Or. Claudia Pina is predicted to finish second and Patri Guijarro is predicted to finish third.
Other individual awards
GOAL reported that Pau Cubarsí is tipped for the Kopa Trophy as best young player, while Vicky López is tipped for the women's equivalent of the Kopa Trophy. Cata Coll is predicted to win best goalkeeper, Ewa Pajor is predicted to win the top scorer prize and Pere Romeu is predicted to win best women's coach.
In the men's awards, GOAL reported that Unai Simón is predicted to win best goalkeeper, Harry Kane is predicted to win the top scorer prize and Luis de la Fuente is predicted to win best coach.