Cristiano Ronaldo Wins BOAT Award for 2008 Ballon d’Or Triumph
Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the newly established Best Of All Times award, known as BOAT, recognizing his 2008 Ballon d’Or as the finest in the history of the trophy, elcorreo.com reported on Wednesday. The global vote, organized by the magazine France Football, concluded early Wednesday morning following a public ballot across the official website.
The Portuguese forward secured the top spot with 446 points for his stellar 2008 campaign with Manchester United. During that standout year, Ronaldo captured both the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League, while netting 31 goals in domestic play to secure the European Golden Shoe ahead of Dani Güiza.
CRISTIANO RONALDO IS LEADING 🇵🇹🏁You can still vote for your B.O.A.T. and try to win 2 tickets to the 2027 ceremony! 🌕Choose your BALLON D'OR OF ALL TIME among the players who have won the award multiple times. ✨Take part now at ➡️ https://t.co/j5AwpVNDGC#ballondor… pic.twitter.com/StPBrJ8sTg
Unlike standard Ballon d’Oro voting procedures handled by international journalists, the inaugural BOAT accolade shifted voting responsibilities directly to the public. To be eligible for the shortlist, candidates had to be players who had won the prestigious Ballon d’Oro at least twice during their careers, narrowing the field to ten historic figures including Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Alfredo Di Stefano.
Fans paid one euro per vote on the official website, with participants entered into a draw for two tickets to attend the 2027 gala. Voting closed between Tuesday, October 27, and Wednesday, October 28, resulting in a distinct ranking dominated by modern football icons.
Rivalry Dominates the All-Time Rankings
In the final tally released by organizers, Ronaldo’s 2008 accolade finished ahead of the 2012 Ballon d’Oro won by Lionel Messi, who accumulated 281 points. Spanish players also featured prominently in the upper tier of the fan vote, with Fernando Torres taking third place with 179 points, Iker Casillas fourth with 133, and Xavi Hernández fifth with 97 points.
Ronaldo and Messi completely control the top twelve positions in the historical ranking. The streak of dominance by the two modern greats continues unbroken until the appearance of Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário and his 2002 trophy.
Nobody deserves it more ❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/TUGvi0DGJB
Historical Context Following the 2026 Gala
The announcement arrives just two days after the conclusion of the 2026 Ballon d’Oro gala in London, where Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane claimed the primary award ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. Kane’s victory marked the sixth time an English player has won the honor and the first since Michael Owen in 2001, following a 73-goal campaign for club and country.
For Ronaldo, the BOAT recognition adds a symbolic accolade to a career that includes five Ballon d’Oro trophies collected in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. While Messi holds the all-time record with eight regular titles, the fan-voted honor cements the enduring legacy of Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign with Manchester United.
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