HighLights
  1. Social media reactions have added another chapter to the rivalry.
  2. Ronaldo’s 2008 season claimed the top position in the B.O.A.T. competition.
  3. Some supporters celebrated the Portuguese forward’s achievement.

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten long-time rival Lionel Messi in a fan vote to determine the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in football history.

The Portuguese superstar’s memorable 2008 campaign at Manchester United finished ahead of Messi’s record-breaking 2012 season in the inaugural Ballon d’Or Of All Time (B.O.A.T.) poll.

The result has reignited the long-running debate over the two football icons, with Ronaldo supporters celebrating the outcome and Messi fans questioning the voting process.

Social media reactions have added another chapter to the rivalry between the two players, who have dominated individual football awards for more than a decade.

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However, the poll recognises the most popular Ballon d’Or-winning season among participating fans rather than officially declaring Ronaldo the greatest footballer of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Lionel Messi In Ballon d’Or Of All Time Vote

According to reports, Ronaldo’s 2008 season claimed the top position in the B.O.A.T. competition, while Messi’s extraordinary 2012 campaign finished second.

Ronaldo’s 2008 season received 75% of the votes in an update reported earlier in the voting process, with Messi’s 2012 campaign receiving 9%. The final rankings subsequently placed Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or-winning season ahead of Messi’s record-breaking year.

The top three positions featured Ronaldo’s 2008 and 2017 campaigns, with Messi’s 2012 season finishing between them in second place.

The competition was launched as part of the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or. It invited supporters to select the greatest individual winning season from a shortlist of legendary players who had won the prestigious award multiple times.

Why Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Season Won The Vote

Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or triumph came after a remarkable 2007-08 campaign with Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Portuguese forward scored 42 goals across all competitions, including 31 in the Premier League, as United won the English league title and the UEFA Champions League.

He also scored in the Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow. Although Ronaldo missed his penalty in the subsequent shootout, United eventually lifted the trophy after winning the contest.

At just 23, Ronaldo had established himself among the world’s leading players, securing the first of the five Ballon d’Or awards he would win during his career.

Lionel Messi’s 2012 Season Finishes Second

Despite finishing behind Ronaldo in the B.O.A.T. vote, Messi’s 2012 campaign remains one of the most remarkable individual seasons in football history.

The Argentine scored 91 goals for club and country during the calendar year, setting a record that remains synonymous with his extraordinary goalscoring ability.

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Fans React As Cristiano Ronaldo Is Called 'Greatest Of All Time'

The announcement sparked fresh debate among football supporters, with Ronaldo’s fans using the result to strengthen their argument in the GOAT discussion.

Some supporters celebrated the Portuguese forward’s achievement, while others questioned whether a paid voting system could fairly determine the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season.

One of the reactions circulating online read: “Greatest of all time” alongside praise for Ronaldo’s achievement.

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