Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo thanked fans worldwide after his maiden Ballon d’Or triumph in 2008 won the Ballon d’Or organisers’ B.O.A.T. (Best of All Time) poll, recognising the greatest winning campaign in the award’s history.

“Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world; the Ballon D’Or of All Time is also yours,” Ronaldo wrote on social media on Thursday.

The Ballon d’Or organisers conducted the poll to invite football fans to choose the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning campaign of all time. Ronaldo’s 2008 victory topped the poll, while Argentine superstar Lionel Messi’s 2012 triumph secured second place.

Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or after delivering an outstanding 2007-08 season with Manchester United. The Portuguese forward scored 42 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions and helped the English club win both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Ronaldo scored 31 goals in the Premier League to finish as the competition’s top scorer and help Manchester United secure their 17th league title. He also netted eight goals in the Champions League, finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer and helping United lift the trophy after beating Chelsea in the final.

The final ended 1-1 after extra time, with Ronaldo scoring United’s goal. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side eventually secured the title through a penalty shootout.

Ronaldo won the 2008 Ballon d’Or after finishing second behind Brazilian midfielder Kaká in the previous year’s voting. He became the third Portuguese player to claim the honour, following Eusebio in 1965 and Luis Figo in 2000.

The award marked a defining milestone in Ronaldo’s career, which began with his arrival at Manchester United as an 18-year-old in 2003 and eventually made him one of football’s most decorated players.

His 2008 triumph also preceded an era of individual dominance shared with Messi. Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times, while Messi holds the record with eight victories.