Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or Season Voted Best of All Time
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning season has been voted the greatest in the history of the prestigious football award following a public poll organised to mark its 70th anniversary.
The Ballon d’Or announced the result of its Ballon d’Or of All Time (BOAT) poll on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The voting opened on October 1 and closed at 11:59 p.m. Paris time on October 27, allowing fans to select their favourite Ballon d’Or-winning season.
Football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano also shared the result on his X account.
Messi’s 2012 season finishes second
Lionel Messi’s 2012 campaign finished second in the public vote, while Ronaldo’s 2017 season came third. Messi’s 2023 campaign placed fourth, with Ronaldo’s 2016 season completing the top five.
The top 10 featured several campaigns from the two football superstars. Ronaldo’s 2014 and 2013 seasons also made the list, alongside Messi’s 2015, 2011 and 2009 campaigns.
The results reflect fans’ choices across different eras of the award, which has recognised some of football’s most outstanding individual performances.
Why Ronaldo’s 2008 season stood out
Ronaldo enjoyed a remarkable 2007–08 season with Manchester United, scoring 42 goals in all competitions. His tally included 31 goals in the Premier League and seven in the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United won both the Premier League and Champions League that season. Ronaldo also scored in the Champions League final against Chelsea, helping the English club secure the European title.
His impressive league performance earned him the European Golden Shoe. Later in 2008, he won his first Ballon d’Or in recognition of his outstanding performances.
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The Portuguese forward went on to win the award four more times, in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, bringing his career total to five Ballon d’Or titles.
Full list of Ballon d’Or of All Time results
Below is the complete ranking of the 32 Ballon d’Or-winning seasons listed in the public poll, according to the source report.
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 2008
- Lionel Messi – 2012
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 2017
- Lionel Messi – 2023
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 2016
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 2014
- Lionel Messi – 2015
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 2013
- Lionel Messi – 2011
- Lionel Messi – 2009
- Lionel Messi – 2019
- Lionel Messi – 2021
- Ronaldo Nazário – 2002
- Lionel Messi – 2010
- Ronaldo Nazário – 1997
- Kevin Keegan – 1979
- Johan Cruyff – 1974
- Michel Platini – 1984
- Franz Beckenbauer – 1976
- Marco van Basten – 1988
- Johan Cruyff – 1971
- Johan Cruyff – 1973
- Franz Beckenbauer – 1972
- Michel Platini – 1985
- Marco van Basten – 1989
- Alfredo Di Stéfano – 1957
- Kevin Keegan – 1978
- Marco van Basten – 1992
- Michel Platini – 1983
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 1981
- Alfredo Di Stéfano – 1959
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 1980
The poll places Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign ahead of several celebrated seasons by Messi and other former Ballon d’Or winners, highlighting the lasting impact of his performances during Manchester United’s successful 2007-08 campaign.
