While the dust has barely settled on Harry Kane’s 2026 Ballon d’Or win - which saw him become the first England star to claim football’s most prestigious individual honour in 25 years - a supercomputer has already turned its attention to next year’s ceremony.

Among the narratives already taking shape is whether Lamine Yamal can finally be crowned the youngest-ever recipient, with next year representing his final chance to break the record after winning the Kopa Trophy for a third time this year. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe is still searching for his maiden award, having long been considered one of the greatest players never to have won it.

But with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now out of the picture, the door is open for another surprise winner, just as Ousmane Dembele stunned the football world with his rise to the summit in 2025. And according to the supercomputer, next year’s gala could see a third consecutive different winner take home the coveted prize.

30th-21st

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

This section features players with an outside chance of being crowned world football’s best, either because they are star performers at clubs unlikely to claim the biggest honours or because they play a more understated role in teams expected to challenge for them.

Alexander Isak is an example of the former, having hit the ground running this season with six goals in seven Premier League matches. However, his Liverpool side are still clearly in a period of transition, which could count against his chances. Julian Alvarez, meanwhile, may struggle to get his hands on the Champions League after Atletico Madrid blocked his move to Barcelona.

As for the latter category, Phil Foden, Martin Odegaard and Real Madrid’s marquee signing Yan Diomande are hardly the standout stars at their respective clubs.

Elsewhere, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s ACL injury has dealt a significant blow to his chances, while Pau Cubarsi and Gabriel are the only two defenders to feature in the full top 30 - and with nobody in their position winning the award since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, history is certainly not on their side.

20th-11th

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Coming in at 20th is 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who many believe could be Barcelona’s missing piece of the jigsaw as they look to end their 12-year wait for another Champions League title. That is quite the reputation for a player the supercomputer ranks behind Lautaro Martinez, Federico Valverde and Premier League attacking midfield duo Cole Palmer and Florian Wirtz.

The latter is already being labelled one of the worst signings in Premier League history following his £114 million move to Anfield. However, many remain convinced that it is only a matter of time before he comes good - something Bukayo Saka, ranked 15th, has already proven. Declan Rice has done likewise, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the world and more than justifying his hefty price tag.

Rounding out this section, and narrowly missing out on a place in the top 10, are Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Barcelona’s Pedri, who rank 12th and 11th, respectively.

10th-1st

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The supercomputer predicts that Yamal, having finished third this time around, will go two better and win the award next October, ahead of Kylian Mbappe - who is tipped to finish in the top three without winning for a third time in just five years - and Michael Olise.

Raphinha is predicted to finish fourth after kicking off the 2026/27 campaign in sensational form, registering an incredible 19 goals and four assists in 23 appearances across all competitions. That puts him ahead of Harry Kane, suggesting the supercomputer believes Bayern Munich could fall short in Europe’s premier competition once again.

Other superstar names in the top 10 include Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Jr. The latter may not quite be on the same stratospheric level as Mbappe, but he will surely still be desperate for redemption after believing he had won the 2024 edition, only to see the prize slip through his fingers at the eleventh hour.