Ballon d’Or ‘BOAT’ Vote: France Football Clarifies Cristiano Ronaldo’s Lead is Not an Official Award

The Ballon d’Or Of All Time public poll will not result in any official trophy or physical award at Monday’s gala ceremony, organizers announced on Friday, countering widespread online speculation. Notícias ao Minuto reported that the clarification from France Football comes as voting narrows ahead of the event scheduled for 20:00 Continental Portuguese Time at the London Palladium Theatre in England.

Public Poll Generates Massive Engagement Without Official Status

The online initiative, known as the BOAT, allows supporters worldwide to vote for their favorite historical winner of the prestigious award by paying a fee of one euro per vote. According to the official statement from France Football, the poll is designed strictly to celebrate fan passion rather than confer a competitive honor at the upcoming ceremony. Organizers emphasized that the digital exercise carries no official standing, featuring neither a physical trophy nor a formal presentation during the gala.

Cristiano Ronaldo Holds Command Lead As Voting Enters Final Hours

As the digital ballot approaches its final 72 hours before closure, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the public preference by a wide margin. The Portuguese forward’s 2007–08 award—earned during his initial stint with Manchester United—captures 75% of the total vote. Lionel Messi sits in second place with his 2010–11 and 2011–12 accolades for Barcelona, each drawing 9% of the support from voters.

The wider ballot pool includes every historical recipient of the honor, ranging from early pioneers like Alfredo Di Stéfano and Johan Cruyff to modern greats such as Franz Beckenbauer, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Ronaldo Nazário, and subsequent wins by both Ronaldo and Messi.

Distinction Drawn From the Legendary Super Ballon d’Or

Organizers sought to separate the current internet poll from rare historical accolades, noting that the BOAT shares no connection to the Super Ballon d’Or. That exclusive trophy was presented only once in history, in 1989, when readers, journalists, and past winners selected Alfredo Di Stéfano as the standout player of the preceding three decades. France Football confirmed that the Super Ballon d’Or remains a distinct historical artifact with no current plans for a second edition.

France Football and UEFA Co-Organize Gala at London Palladium

The annual gala proceeds at the London Palladium Theatre as a joint partnership between France Football and UEFA, which began co-organizing the awards in 2024. While the public portal records engagement for historical achievements, the official event focuses entirely on contemporary football excellence.