UEFA and France Football have unveiled a new award, the BOAT, aimed at identifying the greatest Ballon d’Or winner of all time. The competition features players who have won the prestigious individual accolade at least twice.
Cristiano Ronaldo topped the fan vote, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi in a poll that charged supporters €1 (approximately $1.10 at the time) for each vote submitted.
The Portuguese superstar secured first place for his 2008 Ballon d’Or victory, earned while representing Manchester United. It marked the first of his five career wins in the prestigious award.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the record holder for the most victories, came in second with his 2012 triumph. Ronaldo also took third place for his 2017 win, securing two of the top three positions in the fan poll.
In 2008, Ronaldo finished ahead of Messi and Spanish striker Fernando Torres to claim the Ballon d’Or. He went on to win the award four more times, in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, with those later successes coming during his spell at Real Madrid.
