Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ultimate Ballon d'Or poll has one clear winner

Cristiano Ronaldo is dominating a new poll to crown the ultimate Ballon d'Or winner, with Lionel Messi flagging behind.

The 2026 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced next Monday in London, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Rodri all leading contenders to pick up the gong.

Leading football journalist will have their say on who should be crowned the best player in the world but there is also a different Ballon d'Or related award which fans are able to decide.

What is the B.O.A.T?

The official Ballon d'Or website announced voting on a brand new prize earlier this month, calling it the B.O.A.T (Ballon d'Or Of All Time).

Players on the shortlist had to have won the Ballon d'Or at least twice, ruling out a plethora of stars who were victorious on one occasion.

But among the household names were Messi and Ronaldo, Ronaldo Nazario, Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Johan Cruyff, Kevin Keegan, Alfredo Di Stefano and Franz Beckenbauer.

READ MORE: What happened to the 15 players that Lionel Messi tipped for greatness in 2020?

Instead of focusing on the player's achievements throughout their career, the vote is related to an individual season.

There are therefore eight opportunities to vote for Messi and five to vote for Ronaldo, who first won the Ballon d'Or in 2008 at Manchester United.

And it is that very version of Ronaldo which is leading the way comfortably with 62 per cent of the votes.

Messi's 2012, where he scored a record 91 goals, is second with 7 per cent - with his 2023 win accruing 10 per cent of votes.

Ronaldo's 2017 triumph amassed seven per cent and his feats in the previous year received two per cent of voting.

Multiple votes are allowed but those doing so must pay €1 every time - with each individual entry giving them the opportunity to win two tickets for next year's Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Voting closes on October 27 before the results are officially announced the following day.

Cristiano Ronaldo's stellar 2008 year which won Ballon d'Or

Ronaldo looks nailed on to end up being crowned the winner for his exploits back in 2008, the first of his five Ballon d'Ors.

He was comfortably the best player in the world and fired Manchester United to a Premier League and Champions League double.

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The Portuguese superstar exploded into a phenomenon with 42 goals in 49 appearances - including 31 in the Premier League to collect his first Golden Boot.

Averaging 0.86 goals per game, he won the European Golden Shoe as well as both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.

Ronaldo accrued 446 points to win his maiden Ballon d'Or, finishing 165 points ahead of Messi.

Fernando Torres took the final spot on the podium, having ended up on 179 points.

Ronaldo went on to score 26 goals in his next season, earning a then-world record £80 million move to Real Madrid following United's defeat to Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final.

Ultimate Ballon d'Or shortlist in full:

Lionel Messi - (2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2019)

Cristiano Ronaldo - (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)

Ronaldo Nazario - (1997 and 2002)

Marco van Basten - (1988 and 1989)

Michel Platini - (1983, 1984 and 1985)

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1980 and 1981)

Kevin Keegan - (1978 and 1979)

Franz Beckenbauer - (1972 and 1976)

Johan Cruyff - (1971, 1973 and 1974)

Alfredo Di Stefano - (1957 and 1959)