Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged ahead of Lionel Messi in a special ‘Best of All Time’ (BOAT) poll reportedly organized by UEFA and France Football, with his 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning season voted the greatest individual campaign in the award’s history.
The Portuguese superstar topped a public vote conducted on the official Ballon d’Or website, finishing ahead of Messi and several other football legends who have won the prestigious individual award.
According to the website, Ronaldo’s remarkable 2008 campaign secured the top spot in the poll, adding another distinction to his illustrious career.
Messi, who holds the record with eight Ballon d’Or titles, placed second with his 2012 winning season, while Ronaldo’s 2017 campaign finished third. The voting reportedly ended early on Wednesday.
Ronaldo and Messi Lead Ballon d’Or Legends Shortlist
The BOAT award, which stands for ‘Best of All Time’, invited fans to choose their preferred player from a list of 10 footballers who have won the Ballon d’Or at least twice.
Ronaldo, a five-time winner, and Messi, the award’s record holder, headlined the shortlist, which featured some of the most celebrated names in football history.
The list also included Dutch legends Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff, alongside French football icon Michel Platini. Each of the three won the Ballon d’Or three times.
Other nominees were Brazilian Ronaldo, German great Franz Beckenbauer, England’s Kevin Keegan, Argentina’s Alfredo Di Stéfano and Germany’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, all of whom claimed the award twice.
The poll brought together footballers from different eras, reigniting the longstanding discussion over the greatest player in Ballon d’Or history.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Five Ballon d’Or Titles
Ronaldo claimed his maiden Ballon d’Or in 2008 while playing for Manchester United, following an outstanding season with the English Premier League club. He finished ahead of Messi and Spanish forward Fernando Torres in the voting.
The Portuguese forward subsequently won the award four more times in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, during his time at Real Madrid.
His five Ballon d’Or victories have established him as one of the most successful players in the award’s history. His prolonged rivalry with Messi has also become one of the defining features of modern football.
Reports indicate that the BOAT poll required participants to pay one euro per vote. Voters were also reportedly eligible for a draw to win two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Harry Kane Named 2026 Ballon d’Or Winner
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich striker and England captain Harry Kane was reportedly named the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner at a ceremony in London.
According to the information provided, Kane’s recognition represents another milestone in the history of the prestigious award, which celebrates outstanding individual performances in world football.