Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after winning Best Ballon d'Or of All Time award

Legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his appreciation to fans who voted for him to be named the Best Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) for his performance in 2008.

The Portuguese captain noted that football belongs to the fans, who play a significant role in shaping the game, adding that he values the recognition.

In a post shared on his social media pages, Ronaldo dedicated the inaugural award to his supporters worldwide, thanking them for their votes and support.

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“Football belongs to the fans. Thank you to all the fans around the world. The Best Ballon d’Or of All Time is also yours,” he wrote.

Argentine great Lionel Messi and Ronaldo were among the leading candidates for the accolade, which seeks to recognise the greatest players in football history.

Dutch legends Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff were also among the nominees, alongside Alfredo Di Stéfano of Spain, Germany’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, France’s Michel Platini, England’s Kevin Keegan, Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazário.

The award was decided through a public poll that allowed fans to vote for the greatest individual season or year in football history.

Unlike the traditional Ballon d’Or voting process, which involves selected journalists, the poll allowed fans to cast votes at a cost of one euro per vote, with Ronaldo emerging as the winner.

Read the tweet below:

Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world, the Ballon D’Or of All Time is also yours. https://t.co/S0sLDNiUUY

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) October 29, 2026

SB/MA

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