Unlike every year, this time it is difficult to predict the winner of the "Golden Ball", for several reasons. First, Spain, the team that triumphed in the "FIFA2026" World Cup, did not have a single individual who stood out above the others, although Rodri was declared the best player of the tournament, it is clear to everyone that the real strength of the "Red Fury" was the group, the strength of the team. Rodri himself also caught the best form during the tournament after coming from a difficult season with Man.City.

On paper, this year's biggest winner is Fabian Ruiz, with the Spanish midfielder winning everything with PSG, including the Champions League, plus the World Cup, but Fabian Ruiz is not even seen among the three final candidates.

One of the main favorites is considered Lamine Yamal, with the Spanish star who won everything with Barcelona, ​​but in the World Cup was not at his maximum level. For the coach of Spain, Luis de la Fuente, the "Golden Ball" deserves precisely Lamine Yamal: "Many will say that he did nothing in the World Cup, but if you really watched the matches, you know that he was our most important player. I believe that Lamine Yamal should win the Golden Ball this year" , said De la Fuente.

Harry Kane also had a great season, scoring 73 goals with Bayern Munich and England, but the "bomber" is missing an important trophy on his CV, as he reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the World Cup with both Bayern and England.

Two legends like Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappe also played a super World Cup, but both, like Harry Kane, are missing important trophies. Mbappe comes into this competition with only two individual trophies, the best scorer in La Liga and the best scorer in the "FIFA2026" World Cup.