Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Messi To Ballon d’Or Of All Time Award

Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Messi To Ballon d’Or Of All Time Award

Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged winner of the Ballon d’Or of All Time (BOAT) award, beating longtime rival Lionel Messi in a fan vote organised by UEFA and France Football.

Gatekeepers News reports that the Portuguese forward claimed the recognition for his 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning season with Manchester United, finishing ahead of Messi’s 2012 campaign and other legendary footballers nominated for the award.

Ronaldo’s 2008 season saw him win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League with Manchester United, scoring 42 goals across all competitions. His performances earned him his first Ballon d’Or award that year.

Messi finished second with his 2012 season, during which he set a record by scoring 91 goals for club and country in a calendar year. Ronaldo’s 2017 Ballon d’Or-winning campaign secured third place in the BOAT voting.

The award was introduced by UEFA and France Football to allow fans to select the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season from a shortlist of 10 football legends who had won the prestigious individual award at least twice. <Cite refs={[“turn948944search0”,“turn948944search1”]}/>

Other nominees included Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Franz Beckenbauer, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Kevin Keegan and Brazilian Ronaldo Nazário.

Ronaldo has won the regular Ballon d’Or five times, in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, while Messi holds the record with eight victories.

The BOAT recognition celebrates a particular Ballon d’Or-winning season rather than the player with the highest number of Ballon d’Or titles.