A public poll was organised to celebrate the award’s 70th anniversary.
The vote asked fans to choose their favourite Ballon d’Or-winning season.
Lionel Messi’s 2012 season finished second, with Ronaldo’s 2017 campaign third.
Messi’s 2023 season took fourth, while Ronaldo’s 2016 campaign rounded out the top five.
Ronaldo’s winning season came in 2007–08 with Manchester United, where he scored 42 goals in all competitions, including 31 in the Premier League and seven in the Champions League. United won both the Premier League and Champions League, with Ronaldo scoring in the final against Chelsea.
Full Ballon d’Or of All Time public-vote results:
Cristiano Ronaldo 2008
Lionel Messi 2012
Cristiano Ronaldo 2017
Lionel Messi 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo 2016
