Why Cristiano Ronaldo’s paid ‘B.O.A.T.’ award is the most embarrassing cash grab in football history
After the ridiculous 'GOAT debate’ reached new heights in Dubai thanks to the Globe Soccer Awards, France Football and UEFA have found a way to turn delusions into profit. On Wednesday Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the winner of the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All-Time (B.O.A.T.) poll online after spending €1 and using their credit cards to change football history.
As Lionel Messi was awarded the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Sports by royalty in Spain’s Oviedo, and finished in the actual Ballon d’Or top five for the 16th time in his career aged 39, Ronaldo’s camp and the Saudi Pro League have much to celebrate.
Pay to win! How 5,009 people spent cash multiple times.
Unlike the actual Ballon d’Or, which sees an international jury of journalists decide who wins, with Lionel Messi leading by an unassailable 8-5 margin over his former rival, the Ballon d’Or of All Time was an informal poll run online on the Ballon d’Or site between October 1 and October 27. The poll asked fans to vote for their favourite Ballon d’Or winning campaign by any of the players who have won the Golden Ball two or more times.
However, the twist to this ridiculous event was fans would have to pay €1 per vote.
Instead of a genuine award based on sporting excellence, the organisers set up a crowdfunding scheme targeting the most insecure fanbase online. The results show just how much Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign won:
5,009 people voted more than once.
4,665 people voted 2-4 times.
300 people voted 5-9 times.
44 people voted 10-26 times.
Where normal football fans would close the tab due to the paywall of €1, Ronaldo’s fans saw it as a chance to pay to get their hero some headlines during the 2026 Ballon d’Or week.
42 Goals in 2008 better than 91 goals in 2012?
You don’t even need to look at the money spent to realise this poll was a complete farce. The results showed that Ronaldo’s 2008 season with Manchester United won first place, Messi’s 2012 season with FC Barcelona came second and Ronaldo’s 2017 season came third.
In what universe is 42 goals in 2008 better than Lionel Messi’s 2012 season, in which he scored a world record 91 goals in 69 games, while also providing 22 assists? His 2012 season is recognised across the board as the best individual season in the history of sport. Even his 2011 treble-winning season or 2015 season would beat anything from 2008.
But thanks to a few thousand super fans willing to spend up to €26 each, Messi’s 91 goal phenomenon came second.
Fanboys aren’t the joke
The joke of this whole situation isn’t even the fanboys. Both the Roshn Saudi League and the official Portuguese national team have posted graphics claiming Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or of All Time. They want to make this look like a legitimate award.
In October 2026, the difference between the two icons couldn’t be greater. Messi has 8 real Ballon d’Or trophies in his museum, a World Cup Golden Ball, 47 team titles and the longevity to outscore Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham in the official 2026 Ballon d’Or voting due to his brilliance aged 39.
If the only way Ronaldo can beat Lionel Messi in 2026 is by paying €1 per click on a website then France Football should make the poll available all year round. At least they’re making money from the delusion.
