Ronaldo beats Messi in Ballon d'Or's first-ever BOAT vote

Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 Ballon d'Or-winning season topped the inaugural Ballon d'Or of All Time (BOAT) public vote, ahead of Argentina legend Lionel Messi's 2012 campaign. The poll, held from October 1 to 27, charged fans €1 per vote and allowed multiple entries, with 5,009 people voting more than once. Ronaldo's 2017 Ballon d'Or-winning campaign finished third.