Cristiano Ronaldo leads Ballon d’Or of All Time fan vote

Cristiano Ronaldo is leading the Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) fan poll, a special initiative by France Football to celebrate the award's 70th anniversary. The voting process allows fans to select specific winning seasons from players who have won the trophy at least twice.

Preliminary results show Ronaldo’s 2008 season with Manchester United holding a commanding lead with approximately 62% of the votes. Lionel Messi follows in second place, with his 2012 season at Barcelona receiving 13% and his 2023 season receiving 9%. The significant gap is attributed to the voting format; while Messi has eight winning seasons that split his total support, Ronaldo’s fan base has concentrated heavily on his 2008 campaign.

The poll includes legendary figures such as Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Franz Beckenbauer. Voting is conducted via the official Ballon d’Or platform, with fans paying €1 per vote. The voting period is scheduled to close on October 27, 2026, with the final results expected to be announced on October 28.