Supercomputer predicts Yamal will miss the 2026 Golden Ball
The supercomputer predicts Lamine Yamal will finish second in the 2026 Golden Ball race, with Harry Kane the leading candidate.
Supercomputer predicts Yamal will miss the 2026 Golden Ball
According to Vnexpress.
Context
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's young player, has had impressive performances in La Liga, but still faces great pressure from stars like Harry Kane. If Yamal can maintain his form and help Barcelona achieve success this season, his chances in the Golden Ball race will be significantly improved.
Why this is important
Supercomputer predictions about the 2026 Golden Ball race show fierce competition between top stars. Harry Kane, with his excellent performance at Bayern, is likely to win this prestigious award, which will enhance his position in world football. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's young player, continues to face great challenges in conquering the Golden Ball.
Main point
- Supercomputer predicts Yamal will miss the 2026 Golden Ball.
- Supercomputer predicts Lamine Yamal will finish second in the 2026 Golden Ball race, with Harry Kane the leading candidate.
- Supercomputer predicts Yamal will miss the 2026 Golden Ball.
The Canadian Sports Betting company's supercomputer has made a remarkable prediction about the 2026 Golden Ball race, with the name Lamine Yamal expected to continue to finish second like in 2025. According to the calculation results, this year's winner is expected to be Harry Kane, while Yamal will have to sadly settle for second place. If this prediction comes true, Harry Kane, star of Bayern Club and England team, will win this prestigious award for the first time, while Yamal, young player of Barcelona and Spain team, will once again be unable to reach the Golden Ball, like last year when Ousmane Dembele was honored.
Many other betting companies such as Ladbrokes, Bet Victory and Coral also agree with this prediction, making Kane the number one candidate with odds of 2/5 (5 to 2 bet), while the odds for Yamal are 7/4. Kylian Mbappe is ranked third with odds of 14/1, and Lionel Messi is ranked fourth with odds of 20/1. Harry Kane has become a prominent name since France Football magazine announced the list of 30 candidates for the Golden Ball.
However, as the time for journalists' voting approached at the end of September, the odds for Yamal changed significantly, at one point Yamal even surpassed Kane in this race. The 2025-2026 season is considered the most successful in Kane's career, when he scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern, helping his team win the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup. In addition, Kane also had 12 goals for the England team, contributing to helping the "Three Lions" win a bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup, this is the team's highest achievement since 1966.
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal also made important contributions to Barcelona in successfully defending the La Liga title and participating in the Spanish team's World Cup winning squad. However, his individual performance cannot be compared to Kane's, as Yamal scored 24 goals and had 18 assists last season, but only had one goal at the World Cup.
France Football magazine has introduced three criteria to vote for the 2026 Golden Ball, including individual performance, collective title and sportsmanship. 100 journalists from 100 countries will participate in voting, select 10 players from a list of 30 candidates and score them on a scale of 15 to 1. The player with the highest total score will become the winner. The award ceremony will take place in London, England on the evening of October 26.
France Football began voting for the Ballon d'Or in 1956, with Lionel Messi currently holding the record of winning eight trophies, while Cristiano Ronaldo is second with five trophies. In third place, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco Van Basten all have three titles.
Before 1994, the Golden Ball was only for players of European nationality, resulting in South American superstars like Pele and Diego Maradona not having a chance to win this award. Canadian Sports Betting's supercomputer does not rate Yamal's chances this year, but predicts he will win three times in the next 10 years. In addition, players like Jude Bellingham, Michael Olise, Erling Haaland, Endrick, Pau Cubarsi, Arda Guler and Estevao are also expected to shine in the near future.
What happens next
With the journalists' voting period approaching, a change in the odds could affect the final decision. If Yamal has impressive performances in the upcoming matches, he can change the outcome of the race. The 2025-2026 season will be a decisive moment for both Kane and Yamal in asserting their position in the history of La Liga and world football.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lamine Yamal capable of winning the 2026 Golden Ball?
According to supercomputer predictions, Lamine Yamal will continue to come second as in 2025.
Who is predicted to win the 2026 Golden Ball?
Harry Kane is predicted to be the winner of the 2026 Golden Ball.
How many goals has Harry Kane scored in the 2025-2026 season?
Harry Kane scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern in the 2025-2026 season.
What influence do Bayern and Barcelona have on the Golden Ball race?
Both teams have outstanding players like Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal, influencing the Golden Ball race.
When will the voting results for the 2026 Golden Ball be announced?
Voting for journalists will take place at the end of September.
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