The 2026 World Cup in North America is widely expected to mark the end of an era, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both likely making their final appearances on football’s biggest stage. As attention begins to shift towards the sport’s next global superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo’s prediction from two years ago has resurfaced, and GIVEMESPORT recently highlighted why many now believe it could prove accurate.

Ronaldo predicted Yamal’s rise

Back in 2024, Ronaldo made a remarkable prediction during an interview with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand. Despite his legendary association with Real Madrid, the Portuguese icon had no hesitation in praising Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who was just 16 years old at the time.

Speaking on Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Ronaldo said: “He’s got a huge potential. I see a lot of talent.”

He continued: “But let’s see during his journey what’s going to happen. But I think he’ll make it. He will be the best player of this new generation.”

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As GIVEMESPORT pointed out, those comments now appear increasingly prophetic following Yamal’s rapid rise for both Barcelona and Spain. At just 18 years old, he heads into the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament’s biggest stars and one of the favourites to lead Spain deep into the competition.

Ballon d’Or race has entered a new era

The end of the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has also transformed the Ballon d’Or landscape. For more than 15 years, the pair dominated world football, winning 13 Ballon d’Or trophies between them, with only Luka Modrić in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022 interrupting their remarkable streak.

According to GIVEMESPORT, the award has become significantly more unpredictable since Messi claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023 following Argentina’s World Cup triumph. The last four editions have produced four different winners, while 12 different players have featured on the podium during that period, highlighting just how open football’s biggest individual prize has become.

Recent winners have all benefited from major team success, including Benzema after Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph, Rodri following Manchester City’s European success, Ousmane Dembélé after another Champions League-winning campaign, and Messi after lifting the 2022 World Cup.

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Yamal emerging as football’s next superstar

For years, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé were viewed as the obvious successors to Messi and Ronaldo. However, GIVEMESPORT argues that Yamal has rapidly entered that conversation thanks to his extraordinary performances at club and international level.

With Spain among the favourites to challenge for the 2026 World Cup and Yamal already regarded as one of the finest players in the world despite his age, Ronaldo’s prediction is looking increasingly likely to come true.

Should the Barcelona star deliver another standout tournament this summer, he could take a major step towards becoming the face of football’s next generation—just as Cristiano Ronaldo predicted years ago.

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