Cristiano Ronaldo has officially defeated Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or of All Time fan vote. His incredible 2008 season with Manchester United was voted the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning campaign.
OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Lionel Messi in Ballon d’Or of All Time Vote
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially beaten Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) fan vote, following the announcement of the final results on October 28, 2026.
The special vote was organised to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, allowing fans to choose the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in football history.
Ronaldo’s incredible 2008 campaign finished first, ahead of Lionel Messi’s record-breaking 2012 season.
The result marks another memorable victory for Ronaldo in his famous rivalry with Messi.
Ronaldo beats Messi in Ballon d’Or fan vote
According to the official Ballon d’Or website, Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or victory in 2008 received the most support from fans.
Messi’s 2012 campaign finished second, while Ronaldo’s 2017 victory took third place.
The final top five rankings were:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (2008)
2. Lionel Messi (2012)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (2017)
4. Lionel Messi (2023)
5. Cristiano Ronaldo (2016)
Remarkably, Ronaldo occupied three of the top five positions, showing the strong support he received from voters.
Why Ronaldo’s 2008 season was so special
Ronaldo enjoyed an extraordinary 2007/08 season with Manchester United.
The Portuguese superstar scored 42 goals in 49 appearances and helped United win both the Premier League and Champions League.
He also won the European Golden Shoe before receiving his first Ballon d’Or at just 23 years old.
Nearly two decades later, fans have chosen that historic season as the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning campaign of all time.
Does Ronaldo now have six Ballon d’Or awards?
Despite winning the B.O.A.T. vote, Ronaldo has not received a sixth official Ballon d’Or.
The organisers confirmed that this was a public fan vote, not a new official trophy.
Fans paid €1 per vote and were allowed to vote more than once.
Ronaldo therefore remains a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, while Messi still holds the record with eight awards.
Another victory in the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry
The result has added another interesting chapter to one of football’s greatest rivalries.
While Messi remains ahead in the number of official Ballon d’Or awards, Ronaldo has now won this special fan vote.
For Ronaldo supporters, the result is another reason to celebrate his unforgettable 2008 season. However, the debate over football’s greatest player is far from over.
