Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo headline a 10-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Of All Time (B.O.A.T.) vote, bringing together some of the most celebrated players in football history for a debate over the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season.
The initiative celebrates the legacy of the prestigious individual award, which was first presented in 1956, by inviting football fans to compare outstanding individual campaigns across different generations.
The shortlist features legendary figures from European and South American football, including Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Alfredo Di Stéfano and Franz Beckenbauer.
Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazário, Germany’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and England’s Kevin Keegan also feature among the nominees, reflecting the diversity of talent that has shaped the award’s history.
Messi and Ronaldo Headline Historic Vote
Messi enters the contest as the most decorated player in Ballon d’Or history, having won the award eight times. Ronaldo has claimed the honour on five occasions, establishing one of football’s most enduring individual rivalries.
Their achievements have defined the modern era of the award, but the shortlist also recognises players whose influence stretched across earlier generations.
Cruyff, Platini and Van Basten each won the Ballon d’Or three times, while Di Stéfano, Beckenbauer, Rummenigge, Keegan and Ronaldo Nazário each secured two victories.
Beyond their individual honours, the nominees represent different footballing philosophies and styles. Cruyff helped shape modern tactical thinking, Beckenbauer revolutionised the role of the attacking defender, while Platini became one of Europe’s outstanding midfielders during the 1980s.
Ronaldo Nazário, meanwhile, earned worldwide acclaim for his explosive pace, technical ability and clinical finishing, while Messi and Ronaldo sustained extraordinary levels of performance across multiple seasons.
Fans to Decide the Greatest Ballon d’Or-Winning Season
The B.O.A.T. vote focuses on identifying the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season rather than simply selecting the best player of all time.
Voting is scheduled to close at 23:59 Paris time on October 27, 2026, with the result expected on October 28. The special initiative is separate from the regular 2026 Ballon d’Or awards.
The contest offers supporters an opportunity to assess football’s most memorable individual campaigns across different eras, considering achievements, performances and historical significance.
With 10 former Ballon d’Or winners on the shortlist, the outcome is likely to fuel debate among fans over which season stands above the rest.
Full List of Ballon d’Or Of All Time Nominees
- Alfredo Di Stéfano — Argentina
- Lionel Messi — Argentina
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal
- Marco van Basten — Netherlands
- Johan Cruyff — Netherlands
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge — Germany
- Michel Platini — France
- Ronaldo Nazário — Brazil
- Kevin Keegan — England
- Franz Beckenbauer — Germany
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