Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Lionel Messi as 2008 Campaign Wins Ballon d’Or’s B.O.A.T. Fan Vote
Cristiano Ronaldo has finished ahead of Lionel Messi in the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) fan vote, with the Portuguese superstar’s outstanding 2008 season at Manchester United taking the top spot. Messi’s historic 2012 campaign ranked second, while Ronaldo’s 2017 season secured third place.
Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign was a defining chapter in his career. He scored 42 goals across all competitions and played a pivotal role in Manchester United’s Premier League and UEFA Champions League triumphs. His performances also earned him his first Ballon d’Or, marking the beginning of a collection that would eventually reach five awards.
The final rankings highlighted the remarkable dominance of football’s two modern-era rivals. Ronaldo and Messi occupied all 10 positions, with five seasons from each player making the list.
Ronaldo and Messi dominate the top 10
Ronaldo claimed five places with his campaigns from 2008, 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2013. Messi secured the remaining positions with his seasons from 2012, 2023, 2015, 2011 and 2009.
The results reflected the enduring appeal of the two superstars, whose individual brilliance and trophy-winning performances have defined an era of world football.
Ronaldo’s 2008 season topped the poll after a campaign in which he established himself as one of the world’s leading forwards. He scored 31 goals in the Premier League, won the Golden Boot and helped Manchester United capture the league title.
He also made a decisive contribution to United’s Champions League success, scoring in the final against Chelsea in Moscow. The match ended in a penalty shootout, with United emerging victorious to lift the European trophy.
That remarkable season earned Ronaldo his first Ballon d’Or in 2008. He subsequently won the prestigious award in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, taking his career tally to five.
Messi’s record-breaking 2012 season finishes second
Messi’s 2012 campaign presented a formidable challenge to Ronaldo’s winning season. The Argentine forward scored 91 goals for club and country during the calendar year, setting a record that remains one of the most extraordinary individual achievements in football.
Despite finishing second in the B.O.A.T. fan vote, Messi’s achievements across his career remain exceptional. The Barcelona legend has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, more than any other player in the history of the honour.
His seasons from 2023, 2015, 2011 and 2009 also featured in the final 10, underlining his sustained excellence across different stages of his career.
Full B.O.A.T. top 10 rankings
The final standings featured five seasons each from Ronaldo and Messi, with no other nominated player breaking into the top 10.
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
What is the Ballon d’Or of All Time award?
The B.O.A.T. initiative was launched to mark the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or. It invited fans to choose the greatest individual season among 10 players who had won the prestigious award at least twice.
The shortlist included several football greats, among them Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Franz Beckenbauer, Alfredo Di Stefano, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ronaldo Nazario.
Unlike the traditional Ballon d’Or, which recognises individual performances over a particular period, the B.O.A.T. poll focused on the greatest season achieved by a Ballon d’Or-winning player.
Ronaldo’s victory therefore establishes his 2008 campaign as the fans’ preferred choice in this particular poll. It does not constitute an official verdict on the long-running debate over whether Ronaldo or Messi deserves to be considered football’s greatest player.
With both legends accounting for every position in the final rankings, the results offer another reminder of their extraordinary influence on the sport and the enduring fascination surrounding their rivalry.
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