Cristiano Ronaldo Leads Ballon d’Or Greatest Winner Fan Vote

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is leading an official fan vote organised by France Football to determine the greatest winner in the history of the Ballon d’Or award.

The poll, which opened in early October, invites football fans to choose their preferred candidate for the Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.). According to a post on the award’s official social media feed, Ronaldo is currently ahead of other football legends included in the contest.

The competition features 10 players who have won the prestigious individual award at least twice during their careers. Among the other nominees are Argentina captain Lionel Messi, French great Michel Platini, England’s Kevin Keegan, Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario, Dutch forward Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff.

France Football announced Ronaldo’s position in the poll through a social media post, encouraging supporters to cast their votes before the process closes. The organisers are also offering voters the opportunity to win two tickets to the 2027 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The fan vote provides another opportunity for supporters to debate the legacies of football’s most celebrated players. Ronaldo and Messi have dominated discussions about the sport’s greatest modern player, with both collecting multiple Ballon d’Or titles during their careers.

Ronaldo’s nomination reflects his long record of individual and team achievements across European football and international competition. Messi, meanwhile, has also established himself as one of the most decorated players in the award’s history, making the contest a potential focus of debate among fans.

However, the poll is a fan-driven exercise rather than an official replacement for the Ballon d’Or’s historical winners or an objective ranking of players. Its result will reflect the preferences of participating supporters and may be influenced by the popularity and global fan bases of the nominees.

France Football has urged fans to select their preferred multiple-time winner as the voting continues. The final outcome will show which football legend receives the most support in the organisers’ special all-time fan poll.