Cristiano Ronaldo wins inaugural BOAT award as fans name his 2008 Manchester United season the greatest Ballon d’Or campaign, ahead of Lionel Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the inaugural winner of the BOAT (Ballon d’Or of All Time) award after a global fan vote recognised his 2008 season with Manchester United as the greatest individual campaign in the history of the Ballon d’Or.