Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or voted Best of All Time

Abdullateef Fowewe

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or has been named the “B.O.A.T.” — the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in history in a public vote organised by France Football following the 2026 Ballon d’Or gala.

The Portuguese forward’s first Ballon d’Or, won while at Manchester United, beat Lionel Messi’s 2012 award in the fan-led poll.

France Football created the special B.O.A.T. (Ballon d’Or of All Time) award to identify the most outstanding individual Ballon d’Or-winning campaign ever.

Unlike the main award, which is decided by journalists, this vote was opened to the magazine’s users.

Ronaldo’s 2008 entry had already led the voting with 75% before the poll closed, while Messi’s 2012 campaign was second on 9% and Ronaldo’s 2017 award third on 6%.

Ronaldo won the 2008 Ballon d’Or after a landmark 2007–08 season with Manchester United, in which he helped the club win both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

He scored 42 goals in all competitions and also claimed the European Golden Shoe.

It was the first of Ronaldo’s five men’s Ballon d’Or titles, with subsequent wins in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.