The former Barcelona and Spain defender posted a video on social media analysing all 30 nominees for this year's award, placing three names above the rest without ranking them in a specific order.
The first of that trio was Lamine Yamal.
"He's clearly one of the favourites, he was already close to winning it last year," Pique said. "A game-changing player. World champion."
Next came Bayern Munich's Harry Kane: "He has more than enough arguments to win it — top scorer in Europe and he's won everything at Bayern, as well as reaching the World Cup semi-final."
Rodri completed the top three in Pique's eyes: "Even though he was injured for a good part of the season, his influence was decisive in Spain winning the World Cup."
Pique ruled out reigning champion Ousmane Dembele entirely.
"I'm sorry, but this isn't going to be his year," he said, while lamenting that Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi loses out on account of playing in defence: "He would undoubtedly be one of the big contenders, but he's held back by his position." Even so, Pique placed his young compatriot in his personal top five.
Turning to Real Madrid's contingent, Pique called Jude Bellingham's nomination "thoroughly deserved," placing him "in the top ten, for sure."
He was less convinced by Kylian Mbappe's chances of winning outright — "I don't think he's in position to win it" — but still rated him inside the top five. Marc Cucurella earned praise for his World Cup performances, "but he's a defender," while Pique drew a distinction between Vinicius Junior the footballer and the person, calling him "a phenomenal player, fundamental and decisive both for Real Madrid and Brazil," who "should be in the top ten."
Pique was equally direct about players he does not see challenging for the award. Former Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, he said, scored "the most decisive goal for Spain alongside Iniesta's, but he wasn't even a starter for the national team or for Barca," and Pique placed him between 20th and 30th. He suggested Fabian Ruiz would be a favourite "if only trophies were taken into account, since he's won everything with Spain and PSG," but added that the award "goes to players who are decisive and influential for their team, and that isn't the case here."
Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland both featured among Pique's top five, with the former Barcelona great also singling out Haaland's "great World Cup and great campaign at City." He finished with a pointed jab at the shortlist's omissions, joking about the absence of Barcelona pair Pedri and Raphinha from the 30 nominees: "They must be golfers, because I hadn't heard about it."