Cristiano Ronaldo beats Messi to win inaugural Ballon d'Or B.O.A.T. award
Ronaldo’s 2008 Manchester United season topped Lionel Messi’s 2012 campaign in the first Ballon d’Or of All Time fan vote.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All Time award ahead of Lionel Messi, with his 2008 season at Manchester United taking first place. India Today reported that Ronaldo scored 42 goals that season as United won the Premier League and Champions League.
Key takeaways
- Ronaldo won the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) fan vote.
- His 2008 Manchester United season finished ahead of Messi’s 2012 campaign.
- Messi was second and Ronaldo’s 2017 season was third.
- Ronaldo and Messi shared all 10 places on the final list.
- Ronaldo scored 42 goals in 2008 as United won the Premier League and Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Lionel Messi to claim the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All Time award, with his 2008 season at Manchester United finishing first in the fan vote. India Today reported the result on October 29, 2026, saying Ronaldo’s campaign edged out Messi’s record-breaking 2012 season.
Why it matters
The award recognises the greatest season by a Ballon d’Or winner and was launched by UEFA and France Football.
India Today said Ronaldo won thanks to his 2008 campaign at United, when he scored 42 goals across all competitions and helped the club win the Premier League and the Champions League. Messi finished second with his 2012 season, while Ronaldo’s 2017 campaign took third place.
The final rankings were dominated by the two rivals, who shared all 10 places on the list. Ronaldo occupied five positions, with campaigns from 2008, 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2013.
What happens next
The Messi–Ronaldo rivalry is a sporting rivalry in football propelled by the media and fans that involves Argentine footballer Lionel Messi and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, mainly for being contemporaries and due to their similar records and sporting successes.
They spent nine seasons in the prime of their careers facing off regularly while playing for rival clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Ballon d’Or itself is an annual honour presented by France Football recognising the best footballer in the world.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or was the 66th annual presentation of the Ballon d’Or, presented by France Football, recognising the best footballers in the world during the 2021–22 season.
For the first time in the history of the award, it was given based on the results of the European season, instead of the calendar year. The nominees for the ceremony were announced on 12 August 2022, and the ceremony was held on 17 October.
Top Ballon d'Or of All Time rankings as reported by India Today
Rank | Player | Season | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2008 | Manchester United |
2 | Lionel Messi | 2012 | Barcelona |
3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2017 | Real Madrid |
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