Cristiano Ronaldo Wins inaugural BOAT award over Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo has finished ahead of his long-time football rival Lionel Messi to win the first-ever B.O.A.T. (Ballon d’Or of All Time) award. The fan-voted initiative recognised the best Ballon d’Or-winning season in football history. Ronaldo’s outstanding 2008 campaign with Manchester United secured the top position, while Messi’s record-breaking 2012 season finished second.
The special poll was organised as part of the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, one of football’s most famous individual awards. Fans were invited to choose the best campaign from a list of 10 nominees who had won the Ballon d’Or at least twice during their careers.
Ronaldo received the highest number of votes for his performances during the 2007–08 season. Playing for Manchester United under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the Portuguese forward scored 42 goals across all competitions. His goals and performances played an important role in helping the club win both the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
The 2007–08 season was a major turning point in Ronaldo’s career. His speed, dribbling skills, heading ability and goal-scoring performances made him one of the most dangerous attackers in world football. He also helped Manchester United achieve success in domestic and European competitions. At the end of the season, Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or award in 2008.
Messi finished in second place for his remarkable 2012 campaign. The Argentine star scored 91 goals for club and country during that calendar year, setting a record for the most goals scored by a player in a calendar year. His achievement remains one of the most memorable individual performances in modern football.
Although Messi’s goal-scoring record attracted worldwide attention, Ronaldo’s 2008 season received more votes in the B.O.A.T. poll. The result reflects the preferences of fans who participated in the public vote rather than a decision made by the traditional Ballon d’Or jury.
Ronaldo also secured third place for his 2017 Ballon d’Or-winning campaign. During that period, he helped Real Madrid win major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League. Messi’s 2023 campaign finished fourth, while Ronaldo’s 2016 season took fifth place.
The top five rankings highlight several important periods in the careers of the two football stars. Their performances across different seasons have helped shape modern football and attracted fans from around the world.
The full top 10 list featured campaigns from Ronaldo and Messi, showing the strong presence of both players in the history of the award. The nominees also included legendary footballers such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Ronaldo Nazario, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Alfredo Di Stefano and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
France Football introduced the B.O.A.T. initiative to celebrate 70 years of the Ballon d’Or. The public was given the opportunity to vote for its favourite campaign from the 10 selected nominees. Participants also had a chance to win tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The B.O.A.T. poll differs from the traditional Ballon d’Or award. The regular award is decided through voting by a panel of journalists, while the B.O.A.T. rankings are based on public votes. The initiative was designed to celebrate memorable performances and allow fans to share their views on football history.
However, the B.O.A.T. is not an official Ballon d’Or title and does not represent a separate physical trophy. Instead, it is a special fan-driven initiative created to identify the most popular Ballon d’Or-winning season among the selected nominees.
Ronaldo’s first-place finish adds another memorable achievement to his career, while Messi’s second-place result highlights the lasting impact of his extraordinary 2012 season. Both players continue to be celebrated for their records, trophies and contributions to the sport, and the poll has given football fans another opportunity to compare two of the greatest players of the modern era.