Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo named best Golden Ball winner in history after paid fan vote
October 29, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Coverage
4 reports · 3 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 2 hours
KOKooora
تصويت مثير للجدل.. هل حصد رونالدو جائزة الكرة الذهبية التاريخية بالأموال؟
(opens the publisher’s site)
ESESPN
Ronaldo pips Messi to win 'Ballon d'Or of All Time' prize - ESPN
(opens the publisher’s site)
YKYalla Kora
42 هدفا وغزو أوروبا.. ماذا قدم رونالدو في الموسم الذي قاده لجائزة أفضل فائز بالكرة الذهبية؟
(opens the publisher’s site)
KOKooora
"الأفضل في التاريخ".. الكرة الذهبية تصلح علاقة رونالدو ومنتخب البرتغال
(opens the publisher’s site)France Football has named Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest Golden Ball winner in history for his 2008 award, topping Lionel Messi in a paid public vote.
- France Football announced Wednesday that Ronaldo won the "BOAT" award for his 2008 Ballon d'Or with Manchester United, with Messi finishing second for 2012.
- The vote cost €1 per ballot and allowed repeat voting; 5,009 voters cast more than once, 44 of them between 10 and 26 times.
- Spanish newspaper Marca reported that France Football raised a substantial sum from the paid fan votes.
- Portugal's official account congratulated Ronaldo, and coach Jorge Jesus included him in the extended November squad after his 30-day suspension and €255 fine.