‘Football belongs to the fans’: Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to winning the Ballon d’Or award of all time

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts (Image: @Cristiano/X) Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked fans around the world after his 2008 Ballon d’Or season was voted the best in the history of the prestigious award, beating Lionel Messi’s record-breaking 2012 campaign in the inaugural Ballon d’Or All Time (BOAT) poll.The Portuguese superstar took to social media to thank supporters who voted for him and shared a message that put success firmly in the hands of football fans.“Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world, the Ballon D’Or of All Time is yours too,” Ronaldo wrote on X.

Ronaldo’s iconic 2008 season surpassed Messi’s record year

Organized through the official Ballon d’Or platform, the BOAT poll asked fans to select the best Ballon d’Or winning campaign of all time. Ronaldo’s first triumph, achieved in 2008 after a remarkable season with Manchester United, was a winner.At just 23, Ronaldo enjoyed a spectacular 2007-08 campaign, scoring 42 goals in all competitions as Manchester United won both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. He also finished as the top scorer in both competitions and established himself as one of the world’s best players.His 2008 Ballon d’Or was the first of five he won during his career, with further triumphs in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.Messi’s extraordinary 2012 campaign finished second in the poll. The Argentine has scored a record 91 goals across club and international football this calendar year, but his Ballon d’Or-winning season failed to topple Ronaldo’s first triumph.Ronaldo’s 2017 Ballon d’Or campaign finished third, while Messi’s 2023 triumph finished fourth. Both great rivals dominated the first 12 positions of the final ranking.

What is the Ballon d’Or of All Time award?

The BOAT initiative was designed to identify the Ballon d’Or winner’s most memorable season, rather than award a player another official Ballon d’Or.Ten players who have won the Ballon d’Or more than twice took part in the fan vote, allowing fans to compare iconic individual campaigns across different eras. Voting opened on October 1, participants had to pay to cast their votes and were eligible for a draw for tickets to the ceremony in 2027. Organizers did not provide a physical trophy for the poll.