Cristiano Ronaldo Sends Classy Message After Edging Lionel Messi In BOAT Vote

Last Updated:October 29, 2026, 8:51 PM IST

Cristiano Ronaldo thanked fans worldwide after his 2008 Manchester United season was voted the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning campaign of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo is seen prior to the start of the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Diriyah FC at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. (AFP photo)

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked all his fans around the world for helping him win the Ballon d’Or of the year, adding that football belongs to the fans only. His season at Manchester United in 2008 topped Lionel Messi’s record-breaking 2012 season.

Ronaldo topped the rankings after a stellar season in England, scoring 42 goals across all competitions and helping Manchester United bag both the Premier League and Champions League titles.

Messi’s 2012 campaign ranked second, while Ronaldo’s 2017 season bagged third place.

“Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world; the Ballon D’Or of All Time is also yours,” Ronaldo tweeted on Thursday evening.

The two long-time rivals dominated the final rankings, accounting for all 10 spots on the list. Ronaldo featured five times, with his campaigns from 2008, 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2013 making the cut.

Messi occupied the remaining five spots with his campaigns from 2012, 2023, 2015, 2011 and 2009.

Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or-winning season remains one of the standout campaigns of his career. The Portuguese forward scored 31 Premier League goals to win the Golden Boot and help Manchester United clinch the league title.

Ronaldo was instrumental in Manchester United’s Champions League win as well, scoring in the final against Chelsea in Moscow. United lifted the trophy after prevailing in the penalty shootout.

Ronaldo’s stellar performances earned him his maiden Ballon d’Or in 2008, marking the start of a collection that would reach five awards.

Ronaldo later won the honour in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Messi’s 2012 campaign was brilliant, with the Barcelona forward scoring a record 91 goals for club and nation in a calendar year, cementing his place among football’s greatest individual performers.

Messi finished second in the B.O.A.T. vote, despite later claiming a record eight Ballon d’Or titles.

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What is the Ballon d’Or of All Time (BOAT) award won by Cristiano Ronaldo?

The BOAT award is a unique fan-voted initiative organized by France Football to determine the greatest individual Ballon d’Or winning season of all time. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign with Manchester United topped the rankings, edging out Lionel Messi’s record-breaking 2012 season.

How did Cristiano Ronaldo perform during his 2008 season with Manchester United?

During the 2008 campaign, Ronaldo scored 42 goals across all competitions, secured the Premier League Golden Boot with 31 goals, and led Manchester United to both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.

How did Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominate the final BOAT rankings?

The two long-time rivals completely dominated the final rankings by accounting for all 10 spots on the list. Ronaldo featured five times with his campaigns from 2008, 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2013, while Messi took the remaining five spots with his 2012, 2023, 2015, 2011, and 2009 campaigns.

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