Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 season at Manchester United has been voted the greatest Ballon d'Or winning season of all time, according to the Ballon d'Or website.
The Al-Nassr forward claimed the maiden B.O.A.T. Ballon d'Or of All Time award after fans worldwide chose his first Ballon d'Or year as the best. He narrowly beat long-time rival Lionel Messi, whose 2012 campaign that delivered 91 goals for club and country finished second, a result expected to reignite the long-running Ronaldo-Messi debate.
France Football created the award after its latest ceremony to decide which Ballon d'Or winning season stands above the rest. Unlike the regular Ballon d'Or, which is decided by journalists from different countries, the winner was chosen by fans voting on France Football's digital platform.
Only players who have won the Ballon d'Or more than once were eligible. The shortlist included Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Kevin Keegan, Franz Beckenbauer, Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano and Brazil's Ronaldo Nazario.
Each vote cost one euro, with every voter entered into a draw to win two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d'Or ceremony. The incentive drew strong participation, with more than 5,000 people voting more than once for their favourite.
Ronaldo and Messi dominated the poll and shared the entire top 12 positions between them. The first other legend to appear was Ronaldo Nazario, whose 2002 season placed 13th.
