Cristiano Ronaldo Wins B.O.A.T. Fan Vote Ahead of Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or triumph has topped a global fan poll organized by France Football. Lionel Messi’s 2012 campaign finished second. The poll required paid votes and allowed participants to vote more than once.

Ronaldo claimed the top spot for his 2007-08 season at Manchester United. He scored 42 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions and helped the club win both the Premier League and the Champions League. He also finished as the Champions League’s top scorer with eight goals.

The result placed Ronaldo ahead of Messi’s 2012 Ballon d’Or-winning year. Messi scored 91 goals for club and country during that calendar year. However, the poll ranked individual Ballon d’Or-winning seasons rather than deciding which player had the greater career.

How the B.O.A.T. Vote Worked

The B.O.A.T. initiative, short for Ballon d’Or of All Time, formed part of celebrations marking the award’s 70th anniversary. France Football invited fans to choose their favorite among the winning seasons of 10 players who had won the Ballon d’Or multiple times.

Each vote cost one euro. Participants also entered a draw for two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The organizers confirmed that 5,009 people voted more than once. Of these, 4,665 voted between two and four times, 300 voted between five and nine times, and 44 voted between 10 and 26 times.

The poll did not include a physical trophy. Its result reflects the public vote rather than a separate Ballon d’Or award or an official verdict on football’s greatest player.

Ronaldo and Messi Dominate the Rankings

Ronaldo and Messi occupied all 12 top positions, alternating across their different Ballon d’Or-winning years. Ronaldo’s 2008 season ranked first, followed by Messi’s 2012 campaign. Ronaldo’s 2017 season placed third, while Messi’s 2023 win came fourth.

Brazilian forward Ronaldo Nazário broke their run at 13th place with his 2002 Ballon d’Or season. Other football legends on the list included Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Franz Beckenbauer, Alfredo Di Stéfano and Kevin Keegan.