Ronaldo’s 2008 Campaign Dominates Ballon d’Or of All Time Fan Poll
Ronaldo’s 2008 Season Takes Command of the All‑Time Ballon d’Or Vote
France Football’s recent public poll, designed to highlight the most memorable Ballon d’Or‑winning season ever, is being led by Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign. With roughly three‑quarters of the votes cast so far, the Portuguese forward’s double‑trophy year sits comfortably at the top of the standings.
Current Standings
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 2008: about 75 % of the total votes
- Lionel Messi – 2012: just under 10 % of the vote
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 2017: around 6 % of the vote
The poll remains open for supporters to cast their votes until 27 October, with the final tally to be published the following day on the official Ballon d’Or website.
Why 2008 Stands Out for Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s 2008 season was a showcase of success on multiple fronts. While wearing the Manchester United shirt, he helped the club secure both the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League trophy. In addition, he claimed the European Golden Shoe, finishing the campaign with 42 goals across all competitions. Those achievements earned him the Ballon d’Or that year, making him the third Portuguese player ever to receive the award, after the legendary Eusebio (1965) and Luis Figo (2000).
How the Vote Works
The initiative is a fan‑driven celebration rather than an official accolade. Participants select the single season that they believe best represents a Ballon d’Or‑winning performance. Each ballot costs one euro, and the structure of the poll means that a player’s total career votes are split between the individual seasons in which they won the award.
Because Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, his votes are distributed across eight separate entries (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023). This division naturally dilutes the total percentage any single Messi season can achieve, which partly explains the gap between his best‑performing year (2012) and Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign.
Who Is Eligible?
Only players who have collected the Ballon d’Or on more than one occasion appear on the ballot. The list includes:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Lionel Messi
- Ronaldo Nazário
- Marco van Basten
- Michel Platini
- Karl‑Heinz Rummenigge
- Kevin Keegan
- Franz Beckenbauer
- Johan Cruyff
- Alfredo Di Stefano
These legends represent the elite group whose multiple Ballon d’Or victories have earned them a place in this historic comparison.
What the Numbers Mean for the Ronaldo‑Messi Debate
Since the early 2000s, the rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has defined an era of football, producing a combined total of 13 Ballon d’Or awards. The current poll adds another data point to the ongoing discussion about who delivered the most iconic season. While the vote is still open and percentages could shift slightly, the sizeable lead held by Ronaldo’s 2008 performance suggests that many supporters view it as the benchmark season of the modern game.
How to Take Part
Fans who wish to influence the final outcome can still cast their vote until the deadline on 27 October. Each vote not only supports a favorite season but also contributes to the broader narrative of football history. The complete results will be released on 28 October, offering a final snapshot of which Ballon d’Or season the global fan base regards as the greatest of all time.
Whether the gap between Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign and Messi’s 2012 season narrows or widens, the poll underscores the lasting impact both players have had on the sport and the passionate engagement of their supporters.
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