Leaker who predicted three Ballon d'Or winners announces Lamine Yamal as 2026 laureate

An anonymous account on X, known by the pseudonym @MadeInArsenal6, has claimed that Lamine Yamal will win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London. While the revelation remains unverifiable, its author has already revealed the names of the last three laureates before anyone else.

The user, nicknamed “Z” by the community, had announced Lionel Messi as winner as early as September 25, 2023 — more than a month before the October 30 ceremony — even specifying the podium in order: Haaland second, Mbappé third. He then posted on September 12, 2024 that Rodri would win the trophy, and on September 7, 2025 that Ousmane Dembélé would be the laureate. In all three cases, his predictions proved accurate.

“I can confirm that Lamine Yamal won the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Youngest player ever to win the trophy,” he wrote, using the formula that has already served him three times. “My sources are always impeccable,” he had replied to those questioning his credibility after less precise predictions on other subjects.

The profile of the FC Barcelona player fits that of a serious contender: La Liga and Spanish Super Cup winner with his club, then 2026 World Cup champion with Spain at the North American tournament. His performances at this World Cup were, however, judged below his usual standards, which leaves the race officially open.

The list of candidates is particularly extensive this year: Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Harry Kane and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the names regularly cited. None of them tick all the criteria traditionally used by France Football, which makes the verdict all the more anticipated.

Simple repeated strokes of luck or genuine leaks from the organization? The question remains open. The October 26 ceremony will provide the answer.