According to a report by the official Facebook page of GiveMeSport on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning season has been voted the greatest in history in a fan poll involving more than 5,000 people.

The poll, identified as the “Best Ballon d’Or of All Time” award, placed Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign ahead of several outstanding seasons from Lionel Messi and other football legends.

Lionel Messi’s 2012 season finished second, followed by Ronaldo’s 2017 campaign. Messi’s 2023 season came fourth, while Ronaldo’s 2016 season completed the top five.

Ronaldo’s 2014 season ranked sixth, with Messi’s 2015 campaign seventh.

Ronaldo’s 2013 season was eighth, followed by Messi’s 2011 season in ninth and his 2009 campaign in 10th. Messi’s 2019 and 2021 seasons occupied 11th and 12th places, respectively.

Ronaldo Nazário’s 2002 season ranked 13th, followed by Messi’s 2010 campaign and Ronaldo Nazário’s 1997 season.

Kevin Keegan’s 1979 season was listed 16th, while the remaining places featured legendary campaigns from Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, Marco van Basten, Alfredo Di Stéfano and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Ronaldo’s 2008 season remains widely remembered for his achievements with Manchester United.

He won the Ballon d’Or, Premier League, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and Community Shield, while also claiming the Premier League Golden Boot and Champions League Golden Boot.

He further collected the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, FIFA World Player of the Year and several team-of-the-year honours.

The fan poll has now reignited debate over whether Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign stands as the greatest individual season in football history.