Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or of All Time award after fan votes poured in throughout October. He beat Lionel Messi for his 2007/08 season with Manchester United. "Football belongs to the fans!" Ronaldo said on X. Fans paid one euro per vote to pick his historic 2008 triumph.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) after fan votes poured in throughout the month of October.
He won this award for his 2007/08 season with Manchester United and Portugal, where he scored 46 goals. He was a key player for the Red Devils as they won the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, League Cup and the FA Community Shield.
"Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world, the Ballon D'Or of All Time is also yours," Ronaldo reacted to his victory on X.
The new award was decided through a public vote, albeit having to pay € 1 per vote, Ronaldo beat out his rival Lionel Messi, who finished second for his 2011/12 season. The Portuguese forward also beat out Ronaldo Nazario, Kevin Keegan and Johan Cruyff, as well as other seasons of his and Messi
The Portuguese FA said on X, "From 2008 to eternity. The greatest Ballon d'Or winner of all time is Portuguese. Congratulations, captain!"
While the Ballon d'Or said on its website, "You voted. You decided. Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 Ballon d'Or triumph is your greatest Ballon d'Or win of all time."
This adds to his five Ballon d'Or awards in 2007/08, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2016/17. In his career, he played for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr FC (currently).