Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to be involved in another unusual chapter of their legendary rivalry, following the announcement of a new award that has raised eyebrows among football fans.
The two superstars could once again find themselves competing for recognition around the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, although only Messi is among the nominees for the main prize.
Messi remains the most successful player in the history of the Ballon d’Or, having claimed the prestigious individual honour eight times. Ronaldo sits second on the all-time list with five wins.
Messi Nominated, Ronaldo Misses Out
Messi has been included on the shortlist for the ceremony scheduled to take place in London on October 26, while Ronaldo has been left out of contention.
However, the Portuguese forward, who currently plays for Al Nassr, could still become part of the conversation thanks to an unexpected new initiative that has attracted considerable attention.
French sports newspaper L’Équipe has introduced a special award called the ‘Ballon d’Or of All Time’, abbreviated as the B.O.A.T — a name that appears to be a deliberate reference to the ongoing debate over football’s greatest player.
How the B.O.A.T Award Will Be Decided
The competition is open to players who have won the Ballon d’Or more than once, bringing together some of the most iconic figures in football history.
Alongside Messi and Ronaldo, the nominees include Alfredo Di Stéfano, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten and Ronaldo Nazário.
The list represents several generations of footballing greatness, although some of the legendary figures included in the contest are no longer alive.
Unlike the traditional Ballon d’Or, the winner of this special award will be determined through a public vote, giving supporters the opportunity to influence the final result.
Ronaldo Currently Leads the Fan Vote
According to L’Équipe, Ronaldo is currently leading the voting for the newly introduced award, adding another intriguing dimension to his historic rivalry with Messi.
However, one particularly unusual aspect of the initiative is that fans must pay to participate, with each vote costing €1.
The official Ballon d’Or website explains that the payment also provides access to an iconic photograph and membership of its community, alongside exclusive benefits that include the opportunity to vote for the Ballon d’Or of All Time.
The decision to introduce a paid public vote has made the award even more controversial, with its format differing significantly from the traditional Ballon d’Or selection process.
Ronaldo’s Complicated Relationship With the Ballon d’Or
The new award could potentially provide another reason for Ronaldo to attend the ceremony, despite his previous criticism of the Ballon d’Or voting system.
The Al Nassr forward has repeatedly questioned the credibility of the award, particularly when he believes the final result does not reflect a player's performances throughout the season.
His frustration became especially apparent in 2024, when Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior lost out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Speaking about the decision, Ronaldo argued that Vinícius deserved to win the award and expressed his disappointment with the voting process.
“There is no credibility, Vinícius should be the Ballon d’Or winner,” Ronaldo said.
He added: “I have felt it many times and I felt angry. Over time I understood it, these are battles that you cannot win.”
With Ronaldo reportedly leading the public vote for the B.O.A.T award, the latest development could reignite the debate over who deserves to be regarded as football’s greatest player of all time.