Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the winner of the Ballon d'Or of All Time recognition following a public fan vote organised by France Football. The vote saw his remarkable 2008 campaign during his first spell at Manchester United chosen as the greatest individual winning season in the history of the award.
The initiative, which opened on 1 October 2026 and closed on 27 October, allowed supporters to vote for a particular winning year among ten players who had claimed the Ballon d'Or at least twice. According to published coverage, voting cost one euro per entry. The final result was officially announced on 28 October.
Ronaldo's winning campaign from the 2007/08 season secured the top spot after a dominant year under Sir Alex Ferguson. At just twenty-three years old, the forward scored forty-two goals in all competitions, including thirty-one in the Premier League to claim the division's Golden Shoe.
That individual form translated into major team honours, with Manchester United capturing both the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League. The European triumph concluded with a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in Moscow following a one-all draw, capping an unforgettable year that earned Ronaldo his first of five career Ballon d'Or trophies and the European Golden Shoe.
Lionel Messi finished as the main runner-up in the vote, with his historic 2012 campaign taking second place. That particular year saw Messi score a record ninety-one goals across club and international football, including seventy-nine for Barcelona and twelve for Argentina.
The final top ten standings featured multiple entries from both modern greats. Ronaldo's 2017 triumph ranked third, Messi's 2023 success placed fourth, and Ronaldo's 2016 and 2014 winning years sat fifth and sixth respectively. Messi's 2015 season finished seventh, followed by Ronaldo's 2013 campaign in eighth, and Messi's years from 2011 and 2009 rounding out the top ten in ninth and tenth.
Organisers have clarified that this recognition represents a fan-voted celebration of a historic campaign rather than a new standard Ballon d'Or trophy, and there is no physical prize for the winner. The outcome reflects the public preference for those standout twelve months rather than a definitive statistical ranking of every player in history.
This latest accolade adds a unique chapter to Ronaldo's legendary career alongside his five traditional Ballon d'Or wins from 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. It also sparks fresh conversation surrounding his enduring rivalry with Messi, whose record eight traditional Ballon d'Or titles remain unmatched.
As football discussion continues to evolve around historical greatness, this fan-led poll highlights how deeply iconic individual seasons resonate with supporters worldwide. The debate over the greatest campaign ever witnessed will undoubtedly persist, with these legendary years remaining the ultimate benchmark for modern excellence across the global game.
