According to a post by Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or has been voted the best Ballon d’Or of all time, following an announcement attributed to the award organisers.

The announcement recognises the edition Ronaldo won after a remarkable year with Manchester United, during which the Portuguese forward established himself as one of the leading players in world football.

Ronaldo received the 2008 Ballon d’Or after helping Manchester United win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League during the 2007–08 season.

His performances across the campaign made him a central figure in the club’s success under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The forward finished the Champions League campaign as its leading scorer, netting eight goals. He also scored in the final against Chelsea in Moscow, where Manchester United eventually won the trophy following a penalty shootout.

His individual achievements extended beyond club football. Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions for Manchester United during the 2007–08 season, underlining his influence as both a goalscorer and an attacking threat.

The Ballon d’Or victory also marked a major milestone in his career. It was Ronaldo’s first time winning the prestigious individual award, placing him among the game’s most celebrated players and beginning a period of sustained success at the highest level.

The 2008 award became closely associated with Ronaldo’s emergence as a global football superstar.

His combination of pace, technical ability, aerial strength and goalscoring helped distinguish him during a season in which Manchester United won two of European football’s biggest prizes.

Ronaldo would go on to win the Ballon d’Or four more times, taking his total to five. His other victories came in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

The reported announcement places his first Ballon d’Or win at the top of the all-time selection.

However, the specific voting process, shortlist and criteria behind the designation were not included in the post supplied by Fabrizio Romano.

Ronaldo’s 2008 triumph remains a defining moment in his career, reflecting the season in which his performances for Manchester United brought him his first major individual recognition at the global level.