By Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
Cristiano Ronaldo’s outstanding 2007–08 campaign at Manchester United has been voted the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in history, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi’s remarkable 2012 edition.
Cristiano Ronaldo has received another major recognition after his first Ballon d’Or-winning season was voted the greatest in the award’s history.
The Portuguese forward’s 2008 triumph topped the B.O.A.T. (Best of All Time) poll organised by France Football to celebrate the Ballon d’Or’s 70th anniversary.
Lionel Messi’s 2012 season finished second, while Ronaldo’s 2017 campaign claimed third place. Messi’s 2023 edition ranked fourth, with Ronaldo’s 2016 season completing the top five.
Unlike the traditional Ballon d’Or, which recognises the best player over a particular period, the B.O.A.T. initiative invited supporters to select their favourite individual award-winning season.
The final standings highlighted the extraordinary influence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, whose rivalry has defined an era of world football.
Why Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 season won
Ronaldo’s 2007–08 campaign remains one of the finest individual seasons in Manchester United’s history. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Portuguese forward scored 42 goals in all competitions, including 31 in the Premier League and eight in the Champions League.
His performances helped United win both the Premier League and Champions League, establishing him as one of the world’s leading players.
The Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow provided a memorable conclusion to the campaign. Ronaldo opened the scoring with a first-half header, but Frank Lampard equalised before the match went to penalties.
Although Ronaldo missed his spot-kick, United eventually prevailed to lift the European trophy, and his individual performances earned him his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, beginning a collection that would eventually grow to five awards.
The B.O.A.T. result recognises a season in which Ronaldo combined outstanding goalscoring with major team honours, making his campaign a compelling choice for the top position.
Messi’s extraordinary 2012 campaign finishes second
Lionel Messi’s second-place finish is notable given his extraordinary achievements in 2012. The Argentine scored 91 goals for club and country during the calendar year, setting a remarkable scoring record.
His performances for Barcelona showcased his finishing, creativity and ability to influence matches.He also won his fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or in January 2013, having previously claimed the award in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Despite those achievements, voters placed his 2012 season behind Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign.
Lionel Messi’s 2023 edition finished fourth, while his 2015, 2011, 2009, 2019 and 2021 seasons also featured in the top 12.
Ronaldo’s 2017 season ranked third after he helped Real Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League. His 2016 and 2014 campaigns finished fifth and sixth respectively. Together, the two superstars occupied the first 12 positions, underlining their dominance of the modern Ballon d’Or era.
Full B.O.A.T. voting rankings
The published rankings featured 32 individual award-winning seasons from 10 multiple-time Ballon d’Or winners.
- 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
- 11| Lionel Messi| 2019
- 12| Lionel Messi| 2021
- 13| Ronaldo Nazário| 2002
- 14| Lionel Messi| 2010
- 15| Ronaldo Nazário| 1997
- 16| Kevin Keegan| 1979
- 17| Johan Cruyff| 1974
- 18| Michel Platini| 1984
- 19| Franz Beckenbauer| 1976
- 20| Marco van Basten| 1988
- 21| Johan Cruyff| 1971
- 22| Johan Cruyff| 1973
- 23| Franz Beckenbauer| 1972
- 24| Michel Platini| 1985
- 25| Marco van Basten| 1989
- 26| Alfredo Di Stéfano| 1957
- 27| Kevin Keegan| 1978
- 28| Marco van Basten| 1992
- 29| Michel Platini| 1983
- 30| Karl-Heinz Rummenigge| 1981
- 31| Alfredo Di Stéfano| 1959
- 32| Karl-Heinz Rummenigge| 1980
How the B.O.A.T. vote worked
The initiative differed from the traditional Ballon d’Or voting process by allowing members of the public, rather than a journalists’ jury, to choose the greatest winning season.
The shortlist included 10 players who had won the award multiple times, with voters selecting specific editions of their victories. Participation cost €1 per vote, and voters were entered into a draw for two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Reports indicated that 5,009 participants voted more than once. Of those, 44 cast between 10 and 26 votes, 300 voted between five and nine times, and 4,665 voted between two and four times.
Ronaldo and Messi continue to dominate the debate
The results reinforce the lasting influence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on world football. Their seasons occupied the top 12 places, leaving legendary winners such as Ronaldo Nazário, Cruyff and Platini further down the rankings.
Comparisons across generations remain subjective because football has evolved in tactics, training and competition formats. Nevertheless, Ronaldo’s 2008 season combined individual excellence with success in England and Europe, giving voters a strong case for placing it first.
While Lionel Messi’s extraordinary 2012 scoring record remains one of football’s most remarkable achievements, the B.O.A.T. poll has ultimately crowned Ronaldo’s breakthrough campaign as the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in history.
