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Ballon d’Or of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Lionel Messi in Fan Vote; 2008 Season Wins

Posted on 30th Oct 2026 11:33 am by rohit kumar

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten longtime rival Lionel Messi in the fan-led Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) poll, with his outstanding 2008 campaign finishing at the top of the final rankings. Messi’s remarkable 2012 season finished second, while Ronaldo’s 2017 campaign finished third.

 

The special poll, organised for the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, invited fans to select the greatest individual Ballon d’Or-winning season. The final results were announced after the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane claimed the men's award.

 

Importantly, the B.O.A.T. recognition is a fan-vote distinction rather than an additional official Ballon d’Or trophy. It does not change the players’ existing award records or settle the debate over football’s greatest player.

 

Why Was Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Season Voted the Best?

 

Ronaldo’s 2007-08 campaign with Manchester United remains one of the most impressive seasons of his career. The Portuguese forward scored 42 goals across all competitions, helping Sir Alex Ferguson’s team win both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

 

He scored 31 league goals to claim the Premier League Golden Boot and also finished as the Champions League’s leading scorer. His performances helped Manchester United secure the European double, establishing him as one of the world's leading footballers.

 

Ronaldo also collected several major individual honours during this period, including the European Golden Shoe, Premier League Player of the Season, PFA Players’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year.

 

His outstanding performances ultimately earned him his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, beginning a remarkable run of individual success.

 

Messi’s Historic 2012 Season Finishes Second

 

Although Ronaldo claimed the top position, Messi’s 2012 campaign also received significant recognition from football fans.

 

The Argentine superstar scored an extraordinary 91 goals during the 2012 calendar year, setting a remarkable goalscoring record. His performances for Barcelona made the year one of the most memorable periods in modern football.

 

Despite Messi’s extraordinary individual achievements, his 2012 Ballon d’Or-winning season finished behind Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign in the B.O.A.T. poll.

 

The result highlights how fans assessed two different periods of individual excellence rather than simply comparing the players’ overall careers.

 

Ronaldo and Messi Dominate the Ballon d’Or of All Time Top 10

 

The final top 10 rankings were entirely dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Each superstar secured five positions, leaving no place for another football legend in the top 10.

 

Here are the final rankings:

 

Cristiano Ronaldo – 2008

 

Lionel Messi – 2012

 

Cristiano Ronaldo – 2017

 

Lionel Messi – 2023

 

Cristiano Ronaldo – 2016

 

Cristiano Ronaldo – 2014

 

Lionel Messi – 2015

 

Cristiano Ronaldo – 2013

 

Lionel Messi – 2011

 

Lionel Messi – 2009

 

Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or-winning seasons all featured in the top 10, while Messi’s five selected campaigns also made the list. Their dominance extended beyond the top 10, with the two players occupying the first 12 positions in the final rankings.

 

Messi Still Leads Ronaldo in Official Ballon d’Or Titles.

 

Despite Ronaldo’s victory in this particular fan poll, Messi remains ahead in the official Ballon d’Or record.

 

Messi has won the prestigious individual award eight times, the most in its history. Ronaldo has secured five Ballon d’Or titles during his career.

 

The B.O.A.T. initiative compared individual award-winning seasons rather than the players’ total career achievements. Therefore, Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign finishing first does not change Messi’s record of eight Ballon d’Or wins.

 

What Is the Ballon d’Or of All Time Award?

 

The Ballon d’Or of All Time initiative was launched to celebrate the award’s 70th anniversary. It allowed fans to select the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning campaign from a selection of eligible players who had won the award multiple times.

 

The voting period ran from October 1 to October 27, 2026. Participation required a €1 payment per vote, and multiple votes were permitted. Organisers reported that 5,009 participants voted more than once.

 

The organisers also clarified that the B.O.A.T. recognition is a symbolic public vote, not a separate official trophy. It is distinct from the Super Ballon d’Or, which was awarded to Alfredo Di Stéfano in 1989.

 

Ronaldo vs Messi: The Debate Continues

 

Ronaldo’s victory in the Ballon d’Or of All Time poll gives his supporters another memorable moment in the long-running rivalry with Messi. His 2008 season combined individual brilliance with major team success, making it a strong contender for one of football’s greatest campaigns.

 

However, Messi’s eight official Ballon d’Or titles and his extraordinary achievements in 2012 remain significant parts of the debate.

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