Cristiano Ronaldo 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning Season Beats Lionel Messi for B.O.A.T. Award
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning season at Manchester United has been voted the greatest in history, finishing ahead of rival Lionel Messi. The initiative, dubbed the Ballon d’Or Of All Time (B.O.A.T.), pitted ten multiple-time winners against each other to evaluate individual soccer achievements across the decades.
Ronaldo claimed the top spot with his 2008 season, during which he scored 42 goals across all competitions under manager Sir Alex Ferguson. His campaign included 31 Premier League strikes to secure the Golden Boot and a decisive role in Manchester United’s Champions League victory over Chelsea. Lionel Messi’s record-breaking 2012 calendar year—featuring 91 total goals—took second place in the final standings, while Ronaldo’s 2017 triumph rounded out the top three.
How the B.O.A.T. Fan Voting Worked
Organized by Ballon d’Or administrators in collaboration with UEFA to mark the prize’s 70th anniversary, the B.O.A.T. campaign restricted eligibility strictly to players who had won the Ballon d’Or at least twice, as reported by worldsoccertalk.com. Voting opened on October 1 and closed on October 27, requiring supporters to pay a €1 fee per vote. Participants who cast ballots were automatically entered into a draw for two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or gala.
The final rankings demonstrated total dominance by the two modern icons. Five seasons belonging to Ronaldo and four associated with Messi filled the top ten spots, alongside Messi’s 2015 and 2023 victories. The initiative differed fundamentally from the historic Super Ballon d’Or awarded to Alfredo Di Stefano in 1989, functioning entirely as a public engagement poll rather than an official competitive honor.
Top 10 B.O.A.T. Standings
| Rank | Player | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2008 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | 2012 |
| 6 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2014 |
| 8 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2013 |
| 10 | Lionel Messi | 2009 |
Frequently Asked Questions About the B.O.A.T. Poll
Is the B.O.A.T. an official Ballon d’Or trophy?
No. The B.O.A.T. is a fan-voting initiative created by Ballon d’Or organizers and UEFA for the prize’s 70th anniversary, and it carries no physical trophy for the winner, as detailed by si.com.
Who was eligible to be voted on in the B.O.A.T. campaign?
The shortlist was strictly restricted to players who had won the Ballon d’Or at least twice, featuring ten multiple-time winners including Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, and Ronaldo Nazário.
What financial requirement was attached to the voting process?
Supporters had to pay €1 per vote, which granted them entry into a special sweepstakes draw for two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or gala.
More on All Time
Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Lionel Messi in the voting for the inaugural B.O.A.T. (All-Time Ballon d’Or) award. https://t.co/0gVBt3U4tL
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