Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or triumph is currently leading a fan poll to determine the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning performance of all time, with the Portuguese superstar securing 75 per cent of votes so far.
The organisers disclosed this on the official Ballon d’Or website, saying voting will remain open until Tuesday, 27 October, with the final results scheduled to be announced on 28 October.
The poll, titled Greatest Ballon d’Or of All Time (BOAT), invites football fans around the world to select the most outstanding performance by a Ballon d’Or winner in the history of the prestigious individual award.
Ronaldo’s 2008 victory is comfortably ahead of the other contenders.
That year, the Portuguese forward helped Manchester United win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, while also claiming the European Golden Shoe after scoring 42 goals across all competitions.
The 2008 Ballon d’Or was Ronaldo’s first triumph in the award.
Messi’s 2012 triumph ranks second
Lionel Messi’s 2012 Ballon d’Or campaign currently occupies second place with nine per cent of the votes.
Messi’s 2012 campaign was remarkable, with the Argentine scoring 91 goals for club and country across the calendar year, a record that remains unbeaten.
Ronaldo’s 2017 Ballon d’Or is third with six per cent, meaning the Portuguese star currently holds two of the top three positions in the poll.
Other legends trail
Several legendary Ballon d’Or winners are also featured in the poll, including Ronaldo Nazário, Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Kevin Keegan, Franz Beckenbauer and Alfredo Di Stéfano.
However, the organisers said these former winners are currently trailing the leading contenders, with their combined share of the vote remaining very small.
The organisers stressed that the BOAT initiative is a public fan vote celebrating football supporters’ passion and is not an official Ballon d’Or trophy.
They added that the standings could still change before voting closes on 27 October.
Fans can vote through the official Ballon d’Or website. Participants will also receive a photograph of the inaugural Ballon d’Or, presented in 1956, and will be entered into a prize draw for a ticket to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
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