All-Time Ballon d'Or: The 2007/08 Season Saw Cristiano Ronaldo Defeat Lionel Messi

Portugal National Team Captain Cristiano Ronaldo finished above Lionel Messi in the Ballon d'Or of All Time (BOAT) ranking, a fan poll created to determine the greatest ever campaign by any Ballon d'Or winner in history.

Ronaldo's 2007/08 season with Manchester United secured him the top position, while Messi placed second for his landmark 2012 performances.

This poll featured 10 legendary players who have claimed the Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious individual honour in world football.

Voting results were published on the official website on Thursday. In the ballot, Ronaldo's debut Ballon d'Or winning run in 2008 was selected as the greatest by participating fans.

The 2007/08 campaign remains one of the most iconic stretches of Ronaldo's career. Playing under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, the Portuguese forward scored 42 goals across all competitions, and led the club to lift both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles that season.

The 2007/08 Season Secured Ronaldo's Lead In The Poll

Ronaldo was in devastating form in the Premier League. He netted 31 league goals to win the Golden Boot, finishing seven goals clear of his nearest challenger Fernando Torres.

He also delivered on the biggest European stage. Ronaldo scored in the Champions League Final against Chelsea in Moscow. The match ended 1-1 after full time, before United claimed the trophy via penalty shootout.

In domestic fixtures, Ronaldo also scored against Arsenal and Liverpool, and registered a hat-trick as Manchester United demolished Newcastle United by a 6-0 scoreline.

This achievement followed an already productive 2006/07 season for Ronaldo, where he recorded 23 goals and 21 assists from 53 appearances for Manchester United.

These performances earned him the 2008 Ballon d'Or. One year later, Ronaldo departed Old Trafford to join Real Madrid, beginning a new chapter of his professional career.

Ronaldo's Five Ballon d'Or Titles And Career Path

Across nine seasons with Real Madrid, Ronaldo won four additional Ballon d'Or awards, bringing his total career haul to five.

After leaving the Madrid club, Ronaldo played for several other teams before joining Al Nassr in December 2022. He remains with the Saudi Arabian side, and won the Saudi Pro League title with the club last season.

At international level, Ronaldo is still listed in the Portugal national squad. However, his future with the national team has been placed under scrutiny after he left the most recent training camp early, amid reported friction with new head coach Jorge Jesus, who also previously managed Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

The BOAT poll operated under dedicated rules: fans were required to pay a 1 euro fee to cast their vote, with all voters entered into a prize draw for two tickets to attend the 2027 Ballon d'Or gala ceremony.

Separately, the 2026 Ballon d'Or was awarded to Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane. He received the prestigious world player honour at the gala event held in London on Tuesday 27 October.