Awards
Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 Ballon d'Or voted best of all time in inaugural B.O.A.T. award
Ronaldo's first Ballon d'Or, won with Manchester United, beat Lionel Messi's 2012 campaign in the fan vote, prompting a social media post from Ronaldo: "Football belongs to the fans."
Golviva NewsroomUpdated
Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 Ballon d'Or has been confirmed as the greatest of all time following the inaugural Ballon d'Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) award, organised by UEFA and France Football and decided by a paid public fan vote.
Ronaldo's celebrated Manchester United season, in which he claimed his first Ballon d'Or, topped the poll ahead of Lionel Messi's 2012 victory. Portugal's Football Federation publicly congratulated Ronaldo on the award, according to ESPN.
Corriere dello Sport reports that the announcement drew considerable attention on social media after Ronaldo reacted with a post declaring: "Football belongs to the fans." The paid-vote format of the contest has itself prompted debate.
Ronaldo, now 41 and playing for Al-Nassr, secured his first individual honour of this kind in 2008 during what many regard as the peak of his time at Old Trafford. L'Équipe notes the award specifically recognised his performance in that season.
Sources
This article is based on reports by:
- ge — Cristiano Ronaldo "de 2008" é eleito o melhor Bola de Ouro de todos os tempos em votação popular
- L'Équipe — Cristiano Ronaldo élu meilleur Ballon d'Or de tous les temps par le public pour son année 2008
- Sky Sports — Ronaldo celebrates 'Ballon d'Or of All Time' with hat-trick
- ESPN — Ronaldo pips Messi to win Ballon d'Or of All Time
- ge — Cristiano Ronaldo "de 2008" é eleito o melhor Bola de Ouro de todos os tempos em votação popular
- Corriere dello Sport — Cristiano Ronaldo, il post social dopo il Pallone d'oro fa discutere: "Il calcio è dei tifosi!"
- Record — Cristiano Ronaldo distinguido como o melhor Bola de Ouro de todos os tempos
- NTV Spor — Ballon d'Or of All Time'ın sahibi belli oldu
- Transfermarkt — Cristiano Ronaldo settles Lionel Messi debate with historic Ballon d'Or win
Written by the Golviva newsroom from the reports below, with figures from Golviva’s own database. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. · How we report
