Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi to win Ballon d’Or ‘Best of All Time’ award

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten long-time rival Lionel Messi to claim the ‘Best of All Time’ (BOAT) award, a special recognition introduced by UEFA and France Football to celebrate the greatest players in Ballon d’Or history.

The Portugal captain emerged as the winner of a public vote conducted through the official Ballon d’Or website, finishing ahead of Messi and several legendary figures who have won football’s most prestigious individual award.

According to the official Ballon d’Or website, Ronaldo’s victory was based on his 2008 Ballon d’Or triumph, which he secured while playing for Manchester United.

The latest recognition adds to Ronaldo’s remarkable collection of individual honours and renews the spotlight on his long-running rivalry with Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times.

Also readBallon d’Or 2026: Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas headline the full list of winners

Messi finished second in the BOAT vote, represented by his 2012 Ballon d’Or win, while Ronaldo’s 2017 triumph placed him third in the rankings.

Ronaldo and Messi lead Ballon d’Or legends.

The BOAT award, which stands for ‘Best of All Time’, allowed fans to choose from 10 football legends who had each won the Ballon d’Or at least twice.

Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, and Messi, an eight-time recipient, were among the leading names on the shortlist.

They were joined by Dutch greats Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff, as well as French legend Michel Platini, who each won the award three times.

Also readHarry Kane wins Ballon d'or ahead of Lamine Yamal and Mbappe

Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazário, German legend Franz Beckenbauer, England’s Kevin Keegan, Argentina’s Alfredo Di Stéfano and Germany’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge completed the list of nominees, having each won the Ballon d’Or twice.

The public vote brought together players from different generations, offering fans an opportunity to compare some of the most celebrated careers in football history.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or journey

Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 after an outstanding season with Manchester United, finishing ahead of Messi and Spain forward Fernando Torres.

He went on to collect four more titles in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, during his spell at Real Madrid.

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His five Ballon d’Or victories established him among the most decorated players in the history of the award, while his continued rivalry with Messi has remained one of the defining stories of modern football.

The BOAT voting process reportedly charged one euro per vote, with participants also entered into a draw for two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

Meanwhile, Harry Kane was named the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner at Monday’s ceremony in London, according to the supplied report.

The Bayern Munich and England striker received the honour after a campaign that put him at the centre of the season’s individual awards discussion.

While Kane’s recognition celebrates the best player of the current award cycle, the BOAT vote focused on the legacies of previous Ballon d’Or winners, placing Ronaldo and Messi at the heart of the debate over football’s greatest players.