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Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 season crowned the greatest Ballon d’Or season in the BOAT fan vote
Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved yet another individual milestone in his career, beating Lionel Messi to win the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All Time (BOAT).
The Portuguese goal machine was recognised for his 2007-08 campaign, for which he had clinched the Ballon d'Or, and in the fan votes, it was elected as the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in the award’s history.
Launched as part of the Ballon d’Or’s 70th-anniversary celebrations, the BOAT award initiative invited fans to choose the best individual campaign among ten multiple-time winners of football’s most prestigious individual award.
The vote was about individual seasons rather than deciding who is the greatest footballer of all time.
Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign finished first, ahead of Messi’s record-breaking 2012 season, in which he had bagged 91 goals in a single calendar year, while Ronaldo’s own 2017 campaign secured third place.
Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions for Manchester United during the 2007–08 season, including 31 in the Premier League, where he won the Golden Boot.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side not only secured the league title but also the UEFA Champions League.
He also scored in the Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow, before United eventually prevailed in the penalty shootout.
His stellar performances earned Ronaldo his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, making him the first Manchester United player to win the award since George Best in 1968.
It was the beginning of a collection, and eventually he ended up with further four victories in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
The final top ten was dominated entirely by the two modern greats, with Ronaldo occupying five positions and Messi with the remaining five.
However, France football did clarify that the BOAT award was a fan elected decision to recognise the greatest ever Ballon d'Or campaign and not a physical trophy or the Super Ballon d'Or which recognises the greatest player of all time.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo's iconic 2007-08 campaign has received yet another massive recognition from the fans, and even after sixteen years, it remains one of the most magnificent campaigns in football.
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