Fans on the official Ballon d'Or platform have selected Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 campaign as the 'Ballon d'Or of All Time', or BOAT, awarding him 75 per cent of the vote.
The poll, which required payment to cast multiple votes, placed Lionel Messi's 2012 season second with just nine per cent, despite his record-breaking 91 goals that year.
Ronaldo's 2007/08 season saw him score 42 goals for Manchester United and collect a Premier League title, a Champions League trophy, the European Golden Shoe and the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.
Messi fans reacted with disgust, one writing, "This is totally shameful and unacceptable." Another asked, "What does that even mean?" while a third wondered, "I thought this was a parody. Is this a real thing?"
Ballon d'Or of All Time vote
Here is the top 10, as voted for by fans...
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2008)
- Lionel Messi (2012)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2017)
- Lionel Messi (2023)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2016)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2014)
- Lionel Messi (2015)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2013)
- Lionel Messi (2011)
- Lionel Messi (2009)
Another fan added, "Over the 91-goal Messi year? Okayyyy."
Ronaldo spent just one more season at Old Trafford before moving to Real Madrid, where he later netted 450 goals and rivalled Messi for nearly a decade.
The BOAT title is not an official award; it was decided by paying fans who could submit multiple votes.
All of the top 12 seasons belong to either Ronaldo or Messi, with Brazilian Ronaldo breaking the streak with his 1997 win.
Kevin Keegan also appears in the upper half of the list, ahead of legends such as Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Alfredo Di Stefano.
Harry Kane joined the elite this week by winning his first Ballon d'Or after scoring 73 goals for club and country last season.
