France Football honors Ballon d'Or legacy

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d'Or trophy, France Football, the publication that awards the honor annually, invited the public to vote for the Best Ballon d'Or of All Time, referred to as the BOAT.

Cristiano Ronaldo named best Ballon d'Or winner

Cristiano Ronaldo was selected as the best Ballon d'Or winner in history, based on the public vote, beating out Lionel Messi and other past recipients of the prestigious award.

Vote participation was limited

The public vote for the BOAT received only 5,000 responses, a relatively small number compared to the global reach of the Ballon d'Or itself.

Historical context of the Ballon d'Or

The Ballon d'Or, first awarded in 1956, recognizes the world's best male footballer each year, with winners chosen by a panel of journalists from around the world.