Cristiano Ronaldo beat Messi to win the award for the best player in the history of Ballon d’Or
Cristiano Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi to win the inaugural Ballon d’Or All-Time (BOAT) fans’ vote, with his Manchester United campaign in 2008 ending before the Argentine’s record-breaking 2012 season.
Ronaldo won first place after a memorable season in England in which he scored 42 goals across all competitions and helped Manchester United win both the Premier League and the Champions League. Messi finished second in his 2012 campaign, while Ronaldo’s 2017 season took third place.
The final ranking was dominated by two old rivals who shared all 10 spots on the roster. Ronaldo has occupied five positions, with his campaigns of 2008, 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2013 coming to the fore. Messi took the remaining five spots with his seasons of 2012, 2023, 2015, 2011 and 2009.
Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or campaign remains one of the defining seasons of his career. The Portuguese forward scored 31 goals in the Premier League alone and won the Golden Boot as Manchester United secured the league title.
He was also instrumental in United’s Champions League triumph, scoring in the final against Chelsea in Moscow. United eventually lifted the trophy after winning a penalty shoot-out. These performances earned Ronaldo his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, the start of a collection that has grown to five awards.
He later received the honor in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Messi’s 2012 campaign was a formidable opponent. The Barcelona striker scored 91 goals for club and country he set a record during the calendar year that remains one of football’s most remarkable individual achievements. Finished second in BOAT voting despite winning a record eight Ballon d’Or awards.
FULL LOAT TOP 10 RATINGS
The final list placed Ronaldo and Messi in every position, with the other eight nominated legends left outside 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 BOAT AWARD?
The BOAT initiative was launched in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or. He asked fans to pick the best Ballon d’Or winning season out of 10 players who won the award at least twice.
Legends such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Franz Beckenbauer, Alfredo Di Stefano, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ronaldo Nazario were shortlisted.
The difference is important: the fans voted for individual seasons, they did not choose the best football player for an entire career. Ronaldo’s win therefore recognizes his 2008 campaign as the most popular choice in this poll, rather than serving as the official verdict in the long-running debate over whether he or Messi is the greatest player of all time.
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