Football Belongs to the Fans: Ronaldo Reacts After Winning Ballon d’Or of All Time Poll

Cristiano Ronaldo thanked fans worldwide after his 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning season was voted the greatest in the history of the award, beating Lionel Messi’s record‑breaking 2012 campaign in the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) poll. The Portuguese superstar posted a message on X, saying, “Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world, the Ballon d’Or of All Time is also yours.”

The B.O.A.T. poll, organised through the official Ballon d’Or platform, invited supporters to choose the most memorable Ballon d’Or‑winning campaign. Ronaldo’s 2008 season, in which he scored 42 goals across all competitions and helped Manchester United win both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, emerged as the winner. At 23, he was the leading scorer in both competitions and the first of five Ballon d’Ors he would eventually win.

Messi’s 2012 campaign finished second, with 91 goals in all club and international matches, but it could not surpass Ronaldo’s 2008 triumph. Ronaldo’s 2017 Ballon d’Or season placed third, while Messi’s 2023 win came fourth. The top 12 rankings were dominated by the two rivals.

The B.O.A.T. initiative was not an official Ballon d’Or award but a fan‑voted recognition of the most iconic season. Voting opened on 1 October, required a paid vote, and offered a prize draw for tickets to the 2027 ceremony. No physical trophy was presented.

Ronaldo’s statement underscores that the accolade belongs to the fans who supported him, reflecting the global nature of football fandom.