Ronaldo beats Messi in fan vote for ‘Ballon d’Or of All Time’
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has won the "Ballon d'Or of All Time" fan vote organized by France Football, finishing ahead of longtime rival Lionel Messi.
The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward received the recognition following a month-long online vote in which supporters selected the greatest individual season among previous Ballon d'Or winners.
Ronaldo was recognized for his 2007-2008 campaign with Manchester United, when he scored 42 goals in all competitions and helped the English club win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
The performances earned him his first Ballon d'Or in 2008.
"Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world, the Ballon D'Or of All Time is also yours," Ronaldo wrote Thursday on US social media platform Instagram.
Portugal's Football Federation also congratulated its captain on US social media platform X.
"From 2008 to eternity. The greatest Ballon d'Or winner of all time is Portuguese. Congratulations, captain!" it said.
Messi finished second for his record-breaking 2012 campaign with Barcelona.
Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards. Messi holds the record with eight.
The fan vote was a symbolic initiative marking the Ballon d'Or's 70th anniversary and does not count as an additional official award.
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