Cristiano Ronaldo Celebrates Fans After Winning All-Time Ballon d’Or Vote

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his gratitude to fans worldwide after his 2008 season was voted the greatest in the history of the Ballon d’Or award. This recognition came from a public poll held to mark the 70th anniversary of the prestigious football award.

The Ballon d’Or announced Ronaldo as the winner of its “Ballon d’Or of All Time” vote on Wednesday. Fans participated in the poll to select their favorite season from past Ballon d’Or winners. Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign, where he played for Manchester United, topped the list, surpassing Lionel Messi’s 2012 season.

In a message shared on social media, Ronaldo dedicated the award to his fans, stating, “Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world, the Ballon D’Or of All Time is also yours.”

During the 2007-08 season, Ronaldo scored 42 goals across all competitions, including 31 in the Premier League and seven in the Champions League. His performance helped Manchester United win both the Premier League and the Champions League, with Ronaldo scoring in the final against Chelsea. This successful season also earned him the European Golden Shoe, and he won his first Ballon d’Or later that year.

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times in total, with victories in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. In the recent poll, Messi’s 2012 season came in second, followed by Ronaldo’s 2017 season in third place. Messi’s 2023 season was fourth, and Ronaldo’s 2016 season rounded out the top five.

The Ballon d’Or of All Time vote was a fan-driven initiative celebrating the award’s long history, rather than a new trophy. Voting took place from October 1 to October 27, with results announced on October 28.