Cristiano Ronaldo has won a fan vote for the greatest Ballon d’Or season ever. The poll was run by France Football. It was called the BOAT vote, short for Ballon d’Or of All Time. The vote ran through October on the award’s official website. Ronaldo’s 2008 season with Manchester United came out on top. Lionel Messi’s 2012 season was second. The honour is only symbolic. No trophy is given.
Ronaldo’s 2007-08 campaign was a big one. He helped United win the Premier League, the Champions League and the Community Shield. He was the Premier League’s top scorer with 31 goals. That also won him the European Golden Shoe. He took his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 while at United. Almost 20 years later, that season is still seen as one of the best in modern football.
The top ten was all Ronaldo and Messi. The order was Ronaldo 2008 first, Messi 2012 second, Ronaldo 2017 third, Messi 2013 fourth, Ronaldo 2016 fifth, Ronaldo 2014 sixth, Messi 2015 seventh, Ronaldo 2013 eighth, Messi 2011 ninth and Messi 2009 tenth. Other greats were also part of the vote. They included Ronaldo Nazário, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Marco van Basten and Michel Platini.
About 5,009 fans took part. Each vote cost one euro. That is about $1.12. The result came soon after Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or. It again shows how much people care about the award.
Legendary 2007-08 Season: 42 Goals, Premier League and Champions League Glory, and His First Ballon d’Or
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007-08 season with Manchester United is often called his best. That year he went from a great player to the best in the world. He helped United win both the Premier League and the Champions League. He also picked up almost every major individual award, including his first Ballon d’Or.
Ronaldo played 45 games that season. He scored 42 goals and made 8 assists. In the Premier League, he scored 31 goals in 34 games and added 6 assists. In the Champions League, he scored 7 goals in 11 games and had 1 assist. He also scored 3 goals in the FA Cup. He played 3,762 minutes across all competitions. Those numbers were amazing for a player who mostly played as a winger.
United had a tough title race with Chelsea. They finished two points clear at the top with 87 points. Ronaldo’s 31 league goals drove the team. He won the Premier League Golden Boot. Many of his goals were key. On the final day, he scored a penalty in a 2-0 win at Wigan that sealed the title.
In Europe, United reached the Champions League final in Moscow. They faced Chelsea. Ronaldo scored first with a powerful header in the 26th minute. It was his 42nd goal of the season. He missed his penalty in the shootout. But United won 6-5 to claim their third European Cup.
Some games stood out that season. In January 2008, United beat Newcastle 6-0 at Old Trafford. Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick for the club. He got all three goals in the second half. That win sent United to the top of the league. Also in January 2008, he scored a stunning free-kick against Portsmouth from 25 yards. The ball dipped wickedly. Ronaldo later said it was the best goal of his career. Sir Alex Ferguson called it the finest free-kick in Premier League history.
Ronaldo won nearly every big award that year. He took the 2008 Ballon d’Or with 446 points. Lionel Messi was second with 281. Fernando Torres was third with 179. Ronaldo was the first United player to win it since George Best in 1968. He also won the FIFA World Player of the Year. He was the first Premier League player to get that award. He was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year for the second season in a row.
FAQs
Q. Which Ballon d’Or season won the BOAT fan vote?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 season with Manchester United finished first in the vote.
Q. Which season finished second in the BOAT vote?
A. Lionel Messi’s 2012 season finished second behind Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign.
Q. How many goals did Ronaldo score during the 2007-08 season?
A. Ronaldo scored 42 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions for Manchester United.
Q. Which major trophies did Ronaldo win with Manchester United in 2007-08?
A. Ronaldo helped United win the Premier League and Champions League, along with the Community Shield.
Q. How many points did Ronaldo receive when he won the 2008 Ballon d’Or?
A. Ronaldo received 446 points, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi, who earned 281 points.
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