Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten his long-time rival Lionel Messi to win the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All Time (BOAT) award after fans voted his outstanding 2008 campaign with Manchester United as the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in football history.
The Portuguese football icon claimed the recognition following a fan vote organised by France Football, the publication behind the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign finished ahead of Messi’s remarkable 2012 season, adding another chapter to their long-running rivalry.
Ronaldo’s Historic 2008 Season
Ronaldo’s 2007/08 campaign remains one of the most memorable periods of his career. Playing under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the forward scored 42 goals in all competitions as Manchester United won both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
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He scored 31 goals in the Premier League, finishing as the competition’s top scorer, and played a crucial role in United’s Champions League triumph.
The season also earned Ronaldo his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, marking the beginning of an extraordinary collection of individual honours that would eventually reach five Ballon d’Or titles.
His performances established him as one of the most influential players in world football and helped cement his status as a Manchester United legend.
Messi Finishes Second as Ronaldo Takes Top Spot
Messi, who holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins with eight, finished second with his outstanding 2012 campaign.
The Argentine superstar scored a record 91 goals for club and country during the calendar year, setting a remarkable benchmark in modern football.
However, fans placed Ronaldo’s 2008 season above Messi’s record-breaking year in the BOAT voting. Ronaldo’s 2017 campaign with Real Madrid also finished third.
The final top three therefore featured two different seasons from Ronaldo and one from Messi, highlighting the dominance of both players in the history of the award.
What Is the BOAT Award?
The BOAT award, meaning Ballon d’Or of All Time, was introduced by France Football to allow supporters to select the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning campaign from an elite group of former winners.
Unlike the traditional Ballon d’Or, which is decided through voting by international football journalists, the BOAT result was determined by fans participating in an online vote.
Voting cost €1 per entry, and participants could vote more than once. The initiative formed part of efforts to celebrate the history of the Ballon d’Or and revisit some of football’s most memorable individual performances.
Importantly, the BOAT recognition is not a sixth Ballon d’Or title for Ronaldo. Instead, it honours the season that received the most support in the special fan poll.
Ronaldo Reacts to the Recognition
Following his victory, Ronaldo expressed gratitude to supporters around the world, acknowledging their role in the outcome.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has built a massive global following throughout his career, with his achievements continuing to attract attention from football fans across generations.
The recognition also highlights the lasting impact of his 2008 campaign, nearly two decades after he first won the Ballon d’Or.
Another Chapter in Football’s Greatest Rivalry
Ronaldo’s BOAT victory is likely to fuel further discussions among supporters of the Portuguese star and Messi.
While Messi has won more traditional Ballon d’Or titles, Ronaldo’s success in this fan poll demonstrates the continued popularity of his achievements, particularly his historic campaign with Manchester United.
Both players have enjoyed extraordinary careers, collecting major individual awards and team honours while influencing football across different eras.
Although the BOAT result does not settle the wider debate over who is the greatest footballer of all time, it gives Ronaldo’s supporters another achievement to celebrate.
For Manchester United fans, the award is also a reminder of the 2007/08 season, when Ronaldo helped deliver one of the club’s most memorable campaigns.
What do you think? Did Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 season deserve to win the BOAT award, or should Lionel Messi’s record-breaking 2012 campaign have taken the top spot? Share your thoughts in the comments.
