Cristiano Ronaldo pips Lionel Messi to BOAT award as Ballon d'Or release top 10

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the greatest Ballon d'Or winner of all time, beating historic rival Lionel Messi.

On October 1, football fans were asked to select one of 10 Ballon d’Or winners to be crowned the BOAT - the Ballon d’Or of All Time - celebrating the best Ballon d’Or-winning season from players who had won the award at least twice.

Now, it's been confirmed that Ronaldo, who was one of the 10 legendary players nominated for the BOAT across 32 entries, has won the award for his maiden Ballon d'Or win in 2008.

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Cristiano Ronaldo named the BOAT for Man United success

When the BOAT nominees were first announced, it came as no surprise that many believed it would be a two-horse race between Ronaldo and Messi to claim the award.

Alongside the pair, players like Johan Cruyff, Ronaldo Nazario, Kevin Keegan and Michel Platini were among the superstars nominated for the award.

However, after winning both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League with Manchester United in 2008, scoring 42 goals in all competitions, 31 of which came in the Premier League, Ronaldo has won the BOAT award.

That season, Ronaldo beat Torres to the Golden Boot by a seven goals, with notable goals including his hat-trick in a dominant 6-0 win against Newcastle United.

The 2008 Ballon d'Or was just the first of five that Ronaldo would win throughout his stellar career, leaving him second in the all-time list of winners behind only Messi.

In fact, all five of his Ballon d'Or winning seasons placed in the top 10 of the BOAT rankings, with Messi's 2012 Ballon d’Or win finishing second in the voting.

Alongside the top spot, Ronaldo finished third, fifth, sixth and eighth for his 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2013 wins respectively.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Messi filled the other five spots in the top 10, with the eight other legendary players ultimately falling behind the historic rivals on the fan vote.

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Final BOAT standings revealed in full:

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

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