Who Is Leading the Vote for the Greatest Ballon d'Or of All Time?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are facing off once again, this time in a fan vote to crown the greatest Ballon d'Or-winning season in history. And the early results reveal a surprising gap.
The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has found a new battleground. This time, fans are voting to decide the greatest Ballon d'Or-winning season of all time, putting some of football's most iconic individual campaigns head-to-head.
And the early results are turning heads. Cristiano Ronaldo was leading the vote with an overwhelming 75%, leaving Messi a distant second with just 9%, according to figures released by organizers on October 20.
Even more remarkably, Ronaldo also holds third place with his 2017 Ballon d'Or campaign, which had received 6% of the vote. That means the Portuguese superstar occupied two of the top three spots in the latest published standings, although voting remains open.
Why Is Cristiano Ronaldo Dominating the BOAT Vote?
The campaign attracting the most support is Ronaldo's unforgettable 2008 season, when he claimed his first Ballon d'Or after a spectacular year with Manchester United.
The Portuguese forward scored 42 goals across all competitions, won the Premier League, lifted the UEFA Champions League, and secured the European Golden Shoe. It was the season that established him as the world's best player and helped launch an era of individual dominance alongside Messi.
The Argentine, meanwhile, is represented by his extraordinary 2012 campaign, when he scored a record-breaking 91 goals in a calendar year. Despite that remarkable achievement, Messi was trailing Ronaldo by a considerable margin in the latest published results.
Other legendary names are also in contention, including Ronaldo Nazário, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Franz Beckenbauer, and Alfredo Di Stéfano, although none had come close to challenging the two leading stars.
What Is the BOAT and How Can Fans Vote?
The BOAT (Ballon d'Or of All Time) is a fan-driven initiative designed to identify the greatest Ballon d'Or-winning campaign among players who have claimed the prestigious award at least twice.
Unlike the traditional Ballon d'Or, the BOAT will not award a new official trophy or formally crown the greatest footballer in history. Instead, it gives supporters a chance to celebrate the most memorable individual seasons across different generations.
To participate, fans must visit the official BOAT voting website, choose their favorite player and Ballon d'Or-winning year, and complete the registration process.
Voting requires a €1 payment, which includes access to a historic photograph associated with the first Ballon d'Or in 1956. Participants are also automatically entered into a draw for two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d'Or ceremony.
When Does Voting Close and Where Will the Winner Be Announced?
Fans have until Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM Paris time to cast their votes. The final results will be revealed on Wednesday, October 28, through the official Ballon d'Or website.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo held a commanding advantage in the latest published update, the outcome is not yet official. Fans will have to wait until voting closes to discover which campaign comes out on top.
The top three latest published results::
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2008): Led the voting with 75%.
- Lionel Messi (2012): Held second place with 9%.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2017): Completed the podium with 6%.
