Ronaldo beats Messi to BOAT award for standout Man Utd season

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Lionel Messi to claim the BOAT award, which was voted on by fans to decide the greatest Ballon d’Or winner of all time. The Portugal international – a five-time winner of the prestigious award – was recognised for his standout 2007/08 campaign.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo was among 10 legendary players nominated for the BOAT (Ballon d’Or of All Time) award, which pitted previous multiple-time winners of the award against each other in a fan vote.

And his maiden Ballon d’Or success in 2008, which came off the back of winning the Premier League and UEFA Champions League with United while scoring 42 goals in all competitions, saw him take top spot.

Messi’s 2012 Ballon d’Or triumph was second in the voting, with the two footballing greats comprising the entire top 12 of the final vote.

Ronaldo’s award-winning 2007/08 campaign was the first which truly catapulted him into contention as one of the world’s greatest footballers.

It followed a breakout 2006/07 season at United, in which he recorded 23 goals and 21 assists in 53 appearances.

Ronaldo’s maiden Ballon d’Or in 2008 followed an incredible goal haul, with 31 of his strikes that season coming in the Premier League, as Sir Alex Ferguson’s United won the league title and the Champions League.

He netted in the final of the European competition as United beat Chelsea on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Moscow.

Ronaldo scored against Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League that season, netted a hat-trick in a 6-0 win against Newcastle United and beat Fernando Torres to the Golden Boot by a seven-goal margin.

Ronaldo would go on to leave Old Trafford in 2009 for Real Madrid, where he spent nine successful years. He went on to win four more Ballon d’Or awards while at the Bernabeu.

He returned to United in 2021 for a year-long spell, which ended in animosity after an incendiary interview in which he said he felt “betrayed” by the club – and was being forced out.

Ronaldo signed for Saudi club Al Nassr in December 2022, and has remained there since, finally winning the Saudi Pro League title last season.

He has since continued to represent Portugal, but doubts hang over his international future after he prematurely left their last camp, amid an apparent dispute with new head coach Jorge Jesus – under whom he had also played under at Al Nassr.

The 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or was won by England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane following a 73-goal campaign for club and country.

Final BOAT standings – top 10

1 – Cristiano Ronaldo – 2008

2 – Lionel Messi – 2012

3 – Cristiano Ronaldo – 2017

4 – Lionel Messi – 2023

5 – Cristiano Ronaldo – 2016

6 – Cristiano Ronaldo – 2014

7 – Lionel Messi – 2015

8 – Cristiano Ronaldo – 2013

9 – Lionel Messi – 2011

10 – Lionel Messi – 2009