Cristiano Ronaldo has won the fan poll to select the greatest Ballon d’Or–winning iteration in history, finishing top of the voting launched by the award’s official platform featuring an elite roster of football legends.
The official website announced the final results on Wednesday, October 28, as part of an initiative allowing supporters to compare the specific years in which stars claimed the honor, entirely distinct from the traditional annual journalists’ vote.
Ronaldo’s 2008 triumph claimed first place, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi’s 2012 campaign, while the Portuguese star’s 2017 edition secured third place—giving him two appearances in the top three.
Ronaldo enjoyed an extraordinary 2007–2008 season with Manchester United, scoring 42 goals across all competitions and leading the club to Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles, alongside capturing the European Golden Shoe.
The poll was restricted to players who have won the Ballon d’Or at least twice, with each winning year presented as an independent option—allowing voters to choose Ronaldo 2008 or Ronaldo 2017, as well as selecting between different years for Messi and other nominees.
Clarifying the nature of the initiative, the official website stated: “We have not launched an additional trophy; the poll is a public vote and not a new official award,” meaning the outcome does not add a sixth Ballon d’Or to the Portuguese legend’s cabinet.
Voting closed on the evening of October 27, having operated on a fee structure of one euro per vote, with multiple entries permitted per participant, meaning the final standings reflect the paid participation throughout the campaign.
The initiative also differs from the “Super Ballon d’Or,” which was awarded just once in December 1989 to Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano, with no official date announced for a second edition.
Ronaldo remains the holder of five Ballons d’Or won in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, compared to eight won by Messi, while the 2026 annual award went to Harry Kane.
