France Football launches B.O.A.T. fan vote for All-time best season

France Football has introduced a public fan poll named the B.O.A.T., or Ballon d’Or of All Times, allowing supporters worldwide to vote for their favorite historical player campaign ahead of the 70th annual gala, MARCA reported. Unlike traditional awards decided by specialized journalists, the newly created engagement initiative invites global fans to select the ultimate peak season among past multi-time winners.

Public Voting Mechanics and the Cost to Participate

Participating in the B.O.A.T. selection requires supporters to visit the official Ballon d’Or website and pay a fee of one euro per vote, with no restriction on how many times an individual can cast a ballot. According to PrimerTiempo.CO, voters are not simply choosing a legendary player overall, but rather a specific calendar year or season in which that nominee reached his absolute peak. In exchange for the participation fee, voters gain entry into a raffle for two tickets to attend the 2027 gala ceremony.

Voting remains open until midnight on October 27, with the final results scheduled for publication on October 28 across the organization’s official social media accounts, as detailed by Diario AS. Early returns indicate strong engagement, with Clarin.com reporting that Cristiano Ronaldo leads the public tallies with 75% of the vote for his 2008 campaign with Manchester United, followed by Lionel Messi’s 2012 and 2013 seasons at 9% each.

France Football launches B.O.A.T. fan vote for All-time best season — Photo: Diario AS

Ten Iconic Players Nominated for the Award

The ballot features ten iconic players who captured the prestigious individual honor on at least two occasions throughout their careers.outlined the complete list of eligible nominees and their specific award-winning editions:

Lionel Messi: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo: 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017
Ronaldo Nazário: 1997 and 2002
Marco van Basten: 1988, 1989, and 1992
Michel Platini: 1983, 1984, and 1985
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: 1980 and 1981
Kevin Keegan: 1978 and 1979
Franz Beckenbauer: 1972 and 1976
Johan Cruyff: 1971, 1973, and 1974
Alfredo Di Stéfano: 1957 and 1959

Distinction From the Historical Super Ballon d’Or

Following online debate and confusion surrounding the nature of the new initiative, the organizing body issued an official statement clarifying that the fan poll holds no connection to the historic Super Ballon d’Or, Clarin.com noted. While the B.O.A.T. is strictly an online popular vote that does not confer a physical trophy or an official ceremony prize, the Super Ballon d’Or was a formal, physical award handed out just once in history.

Diario AS recalled that the singular Super Ballon d’Or was presented in December 1989 to Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano, who surpassed fellow nominees Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini following a vote conducted by a qualified jury, former winners, and readers. The organization confirmed that no official date has been set for a second edition of that historic trophy.

Ballon d'Or Gala Moves to London

The 70th annual Ballon d’Or gala takes place on Monday, October 26, in London—a relocation chosen by organizers to honor historical recipient Stanley Matthews, as noted by MARCA. Lionel Messi enters the broader event nominated for the 17th time as he pursues another honor, Clarin.com reported.

The closing of public polls on October 27 at midnight will immediately precede the October 28 announcement of the B.O.A.T. winner on the organization’s official digital channels.