Ronaldo Beats Messi in Ballon d’Or All-Time Fan Poll
Cristiano Ronaldo has finished ahead of Lionel Messi in the inaugural B.O.A.T. (Ballon d’Or of All Time) poll, with his 2007–08 campaign for Manchester United voted the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in the fan-led exercise.
The result was announced as part of the celebrations marking the Ballon d’Or’s 70th anniversary. Messi’s 2012 campaign finished second, while Ronaldo’s 2017 season placed third. The rankings compared outstanding seasons from footballers who had won the prestigious individual award multiple times.
The result adds another chapter to the long-running rivalry between the Portuguese forward and the Argentine star, who dominated the Ballon d’Or conversation for much of the 2000s and 2010s.
Why Ronaldo’s 2007–08 Season Won
Ronaldo’s winning campaign came during his time at Manchester United under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Portuguese winger scored 42 goals across all competitions during the 2007–08 season, helping United win both the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
His performances earned him his first Ballon d’Or in 2008. He was a key figure in United’s European triumph, scoring in the Champions League final against Chelsea before his team won the match on penalties.
The season marked a major turning point in Ronaldo’s career and established him as one of the leading players in world football.
Messi’s Record-Breaking 2012 Campaign Finishes Second
Messi finished second in the B.O.A.T. poll with his 2012 season, a year remembered for his extraordinary goalscoring achievements.
The Argentine scored 91 goals across club and international football during the calendar year, setting a widely recognised record for goals scored in a calendar year.
Messi’s performances during this period strengthened his reputation as one of the most prolific and technically gifted footballers of his generation. His eight Ballon d’Or wins remain the highest total by any player, while Ronaldo has won the award five times.
Ronaldo’s 2017 Season Also Makes the Top Three
Ronaldo’s 2017 Ballon d’Or-winning campaign secured third place in the fan poll.
That season was another significant period in his career at Real Madrid, where he helped the club win major trophies and continued to deliver decisive performances in European competition.
The top rankings underlined the influence of both Ronaldo and Messi on modern football. The final top 10 featured only seasons belonging to the two superstars, reflecting their sustained success across multiple years.
What Is the B.O.A.T. Poll?
B.O.A.T. stands for “Ballon d’Or of All Time”. The initiative invited fans to select the greatest season among a shortlist of historic Ballon d’Or winners.
The nominees included Ronaldo, Messi, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Ronaldo Nazário, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Alfredo Di Stéfano and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Unlike the annual Ballon d’Or, which is awarded through voting by an international panel of journalists, the B.O.A.T. initiative used a public fan vote to compare past award-winning campaigns.
It is important to distinguish the poll from the official Ballon d’Or honours. The B.O.A.T. result does not award Ronaldo an additional official Ballon d’Or or change the historical award records. France Football clarified that the online poll was a public consultation rather than a new official trophy
Ronaldo and Messi have been central figures in world football for nearly two decades. Their careers have included domestic league titles, European trophies, international achievements and numerous individual honours.
Their rivalry reached particular prominence during their years in Spain, when Ronaldo represented Real Madrid and Messi played for Barcelona. Their contrasting styles and remarkable scoring records helped shape one of football’s most closely followed sporting rivalries.
Although the B.O.A.T. result reflects the preference of participants in a particular fan poll, it does not establish an official or universally accepted ranking of the two players’ careers.
The outcome instead highlights how memorable individual seasons continue to inspire debate among football fans long after the campaigns have ended.
