Ronaldo beat Messi, but there's a €1 catch: The twist behind football's latest GOAT verdict

Cristiano Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi to another historic football honour, but his latest triumph came with an unusual twist. The 41-year-old Portuguese superstar's remarkable 2008 campaign with Manchester United was voted the greatest Ballon d'Or-winning season of all time, finishing ahead of foe Messi and his record-breaking 2012.

However, the newly introduced Ballon d'Or of All Time (BOAT) award was decided through a paid fan vote, with supporters charged €1 per entry and permitted to vote multiple times. Unlike the traditional Ballon d'Or - won by Harry Kane this year, which is decided by journalists, the BOAT was a separate fan-voted initiative rather than an official addition to Ronaldo's five Ballon d'Or trophies.

The final rankings were equally remarkable. Ronaldo and Messi occupied all 12 leading positions, with the Portuguese icon claiming five of the top 10 spots and his Argentine rival taking the other five.

Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario was the highest-ranked player outside the pair, finishing 13th for his 2002 campaign. Ronaldo's winning 2008 season saw him score 42 goals across all competitions as Manchester United claimed the Premier League and UEFA Champions League double.

Messi's 2012 campaign, meanwhile, produced an extraordinary 91 goals for club and country - a calendar-year record that remains unmatched. The result adds another chapter to football's enduring Ronaldo-Messi rivalry, although the award recognised individual seasons rather than entire careers.

Inter Miami's Messi has won the most Ballon d'Or awards in history with eight, while Al-Nassr's Ronaldo has claimed five over the course of his career. By commenting, you agree to our Commenting Guidelines