Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten longtime rival Lionel Messi in a global fan vote organised to identify the greatest Ballon d'Or-winning season in football history. Ronaldo's 2008 campaign secured first place, while Messi's remarkable 2012 season finished second.
The initiative, called the B.O.A.T. (Ballon d'Or of All Time), invited football supporters to choose their favourite individual Ballon d'Or-winning campaign from some of the sport's most celebrated players. The results were announced on October 28, following a month-long voting period.
Messi secured second place with his 2012 campaign, a year widely remembered for his extraordinary goal-scoring achievements. Playing for Barcelona and Argentina, the forward scored a record 91 goals across club and international football during the calendar year.
Ronaldo also claimed third place with his 2017 Ballon d'Or-winning season. The rankings showed just how strongly the two footballers featured in the voting, with their different award-winning campaigns occupying the first 12 positions.
Other legendary players were also included in the competition, such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Franz Beckenbauer and Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário.
The voting process allowed supporters to participate more than once, with each vote costing €1. According to the organisers, 5,009 participants submitted multiple votes, with some casting as many as 26 entries. This means the results represent submitted votes rather than a count of individual supporters.
The B.O.A.T. initiative was introduced as a special fan-driven exercise celebrating the history of the Ballon d'Or. It does not award an additional official Ballon d'Or trophy or change either footballer's existing achievements.
Ronaldo currently has five Ballon d'Or titles, while Messi holds the record with eight.
Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten longtime rival Lionel Messi in a global fan vote organised to identify the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in football history.
Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten longtime rival Lionel Messi in a global fan vote organised to identify the greatest Ballon d'Or-winning season in football history. Ronaldo's 2008 campaign secured first place, while Messi's remarkable 2012 season finished second.
The initiative, called the B.O.A.T. (Ballon d'Or of All Time), invited football supporters to choose their favourite individual Ballon d'Or-winning campaign from some of the sport's most celebrated players. The results were announced on October 28, following a month-long voting period.
Messi secured second place with his 2012 campaign, a year widely remembered for his extraordinary goal-scoring achievements. Playing for Barcelona and Argentina, the forward scored a record 91 goals across club and international football during the calendar year.
Ronaldo also claimed third place with his 2017 Ballon d'Or-winning season. The rankings showed just how strongly the two footballers featured in the voting, with their different award-winning campaigns occupying the first 12 positions.
Other legendary players were also included in the competition, such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Franz Beckenbauer and Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário.
The voting process allowed supporters to participate more than once, with each vote costing €1. According to the organisers, 5,009 participants submitted multiple votes, with some casting as many as 26 entries. This means the results represent submitted votes rather than a count of individual supporters.
The B.O.A.T. initiative was introduced as a special fan-driven exercise celebrating the history of the Ballon d'Or. It does not award an additional official Ballon d'Or trophy or change either footballer's existing achievements.
Ronaldo currently has five Ballon d'Or titles, while Messi holds the record with eight.
