Cristiano Ronaldo has won the "Ballon d'Or of All Time," narrowly defeating Lionel Messi in a monthlong public online vote organized by France Football. The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward was honored for his standout 2007-08 season at Manchester United, where he scored 42 goals in all competitions, helping the club secure the Premier League and Champions League titles, which ultimately led to his first Ballon d'Or. Portugal's Football Federation celebrated the victory on X, writing: "From 2008 to eternity.
The greatest Ballon d'Or winner of all time is Portuguese. Congratulations, captain!" Both Manchester United and Real Madrid, two of Ronaldo's former clubs, also acknowledged the player's latest recognition. Ronaldo, who is closing in on 1,000 career goals, is already the leading men's international scorer with 143 goals in 225 appearances.
The Portuguese forward won a total of five Ballon d'Or awards, four of them while at Real Madrid between 2013 and 2017. The award adds another chapter to the ongoing legacy debate between Ronaldo and Messi, with both players continuing to be celebrated for their extraordinary careers.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing