Cristiano Ronaldo Voted Best Ballon d'Or Campaign Ever in Fan Poll
Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 triumph with Manchester United has been voted the greatest Ballon d'Or campaign ever in a special France Football fan poll.
Cristiano Ronaldo has triumphed over Lionel Messi in a special global fan vote organized by France Football to determine the greatest individual Ballon d'Or campaign of all time.
The initiative, dubbed B.O.A.T. (Ballon d'Or Of All Time), invited football fans worldwide to vote for a specific calendar-year triumph rather than an overall career. Every vote cost one euro, with supporters permitted to cast an unlimited number of paid ballots.
Ronaldo's maiden Ballon d'Or victory in 2008 secured the top spot in the poll. During that historic campaign with Manchester United, the Portuguese star netted 42 goals across all competitions, clinched the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles, and claimed the European Golden Shoe.
Messi's record-breaking 2012 campaign took second place. That year, the Argentine forward established a legendary football milestone by scoring 91 goals within a single calendar year for Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
Notably, Ronaldo also secured third place in the fan vote with his stellar 2017 season. The shortlist was strictly restricted to legendary players who have won the prestigious golden accolade at least twice throughout their illustrious careers.
