An X account focused on Arsenal, @madeinarsenal6, has launched a prediction that has quickly spread among fans: Lamine Yamal will win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The message has generated buzz because, according to its followers, the profile has a perfect record of correct predictions in recent editions of the award.
The post, captured in a tweet, does not provide an extensive analysis: it simply points to the Barcelona winger as the winner. What stands out is the history attributed to it by those who have shared it, with accurate predictions since 2023, the year the trophy went to Lionel Messi. It is wise to take this information with caution: there is no verifiable source confirming this perfect record beyond the screenshots and comments circulating on the social network itself.
Apart from the virality of the message, Yamal's candidacy is backed by statistics and the consensus of much of the sports press. The player from Mataró arrives at the gala after winning the 2026 World Cup with Spain, as well as LaLiga and the Supercopa with Barça. In the 2025-26 season, he recorded 26 goals and 21 assists, according to data collected by GOAL, which places Yamal, alongside Harry Kane and Lionel Messi, among the top three names leading its Ballon d'Or Power Ranking over the past nine months. In the prediction market Polymarket, he started as a clear favourite, with a 51% probability compared to 27% for Kane.
The player himself has not shied away from the debate. In an interview with Jorge Valdano, Yamal was direct: "Mbappé and I are the two best in the world, but I believe this year the Ballon d'Or should go to me". His main rivals in the race for the award are, precisely, Kylian Mbappé, who scored 42 goals this season with Real Madrid, and a resurgent Messi.
The mystery will be resolved on October 26 in London, where France Football will present the award following the voting of journalists from a hundred countries. Until then, the X account will continue to accumulate mentions whenever candidates are discussed, whether due to its supposed history of accuracy or the solid campaign of Yamal.
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