Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or Leads BOAT Fan Vote With 75%

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or triumph is currently leading the fan vote to identify the greatest Ballon d’Or winner of all time, according to organisers, after attracting 75 per cent of ballots cast so far.

In an update posted Wednesday on the official Ballon d’Or website, organisers said the poll, known as the Greatest Ballon d’Or of All Time (BOAT), asks supporters to select the most outstanding Ballon d’Or-winning campaign in the history of the award. Voting is scheduled to remain open until October 27, with the final results due to be announced on October 28.

Lionel Messi’s 2012 victory is second in the standings with nine per cent of the votes, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2017 win is third with six per cent. The current ranking gives the Portuguese forward two of the top three positions.

Organisers noted that Ronaldo’s 2008 season with Manchester United included Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles, the European Golden Shoe and 42 goals in all competitions. It was also his first Ballon d’Or success.

Messi’s 2012 campaign is highlighted for his 91 goals for club and country across the calendar year, a record that organisers said remains unbeaten.

Other former winners included in the poll are Ronaldo Nazário, Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Kevin Keegan, Franz Beckenbauer and Alfredo Di Stéfano. Organisers said those legends were trailing the leading contenders, with their combined share of the vote still very small.

The organisers stressed that the BOAT initiative is a public vote celebrating fans’ passion for football and is not an official trophy. They added that the standings could still change before voting closes on October 27, with the final results expected the following day.

Fans can vote through the official Ballon d’Or website. Participants will receive a photograph of the first Ballon d’Or, presented in 1956, and will be entered into a prize draw for a ticket to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony.