Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or Wins B.O.A.T. Fan Vote Ahead of Messi’s 2012
Ronaldo’s 2008 edition topped the B.O.A.T. fan vote ahead of Messi’s 2012. Here is what he won, why 2008 stands out and why his annual total stays five.
Analysis
THE RACE TO 1,000Follow the goal ledger →
MESSI 937 / RONALDO 985
Eligible senior goals · coverage and credit notes in the trackerTHE LATEST
65 stories & dated briefsPublication times are shown where recorded. Older briefs keep their event dates; they are not presented as newly published news.
SPL: Ronaldo reaches 985 career goals with Al Kholood hat-trick
Ronaldo scored three second-half goals as Al Nassr beat Al Kholood 5–3 in Riyadh on 29 October.
Our take: The hat-trick widened Ronaldo’s lead over Messi from 46 to 49 in our ledger through 29 October; Messi remained on 936. Ronaldo’s goal entries →Analysis uses records reviewed .
Dated brief
Can Messi Beat Ronaldo to 1,000 Goals? The Maths Behind the Chase
A dated October 2026 scoring-scenario analysis of Messi and Ronaldo’s race to 1,000. Follow the live tracker for updated totals and goals remaining.
Analysis
Is Ronaldo Back for Portugal? November 2026 Squad Status Explained
Ronaldo is on Portugal’s preliminary list, but the final squad is due on 6 November. Here is what is confirmed and what still needs to happen.
Analysis
Does Ronaldo Have 981 or 982 Goals? The Al Faisaly Dispute Explained
Why Ronaldo’s career total can differ by one: Saudi Pro League credit, Opta’s reported own-goal classification and our counting policy explained.
Analysis
Messi vs Ronaldo Champions League Goals: Why 140 and 141 Both Appear
Ronaldo has 140 Champions League goals excluding qualifying; Messi has 129. Find out why 141 also appears and compare their club breakdowns.
Analysis
Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or wins B.O.A.T. fan vote
Real Madrid confirms that France Football website voters selected Ronaldo’s 2008 award as the winning edition in the B.O.A.T. (Best of All Time) vote.
Our take: The annual award comparison remains Messi 8–Ronaldo 5 in our reviewed award file. A poll choosing between past winning editions belongs alongside that history, rather than increasing either player’s annual trophy count. Super Ballon d’Or comparison →Analysis uses records reviewed .
Source: Real Madrid CF · published 28 October 2026 at 19:13 UTC, updated 19:28 UTC ↗
Dated brief
FPF confirms Ronaldo’s preliminary Portugal selection to AFP
AFP reports that a Portuguese federation spokesperson has confirmed Ronaldo’s inclusion in the preliminary squad for November’s Nations League matches.
Our take: Portugal accounts for 146 of Ronaldo’s 985 goals in our current ledger. A preliminary selection opens a possible route back to that part of the record but adds nothing to it yet. Portugal goal totals →Analysis uses records reviewed .
Source: AFP · published 27 October 2026, citing an FPF spokesperson ↗
Dated brief
Al Nassr complaint reported over Al Wasl postponement
In a 27 October report, winwin says sports commentator Saeed Al Hilal told Al Arabiya FM that Al Nassr had filed a complaint with the AFC over the postponed Al Wasl fixture.
Our take: There is no Al Wasl scoring entry for this postponed date in our ledger. The comparison moves only when a match is played and a goal is credited, not when a complaint is reported. Inspect Ronaldo’s match record →Analysis uses records reviewed .
Dated brief
Ronaldo reportedly on Portugal’s preliminary November list
Euronews, citing O Jogo, reports that Jorge Jesus included Ronaldo on Portugal’s preliminary list for November’s Nations League matches.
Our take: The useful distinction for our comparison is between a place on a list and a played international. Ronaldo’s 146 recorded Portugal goals remain separate from the status of this reported selection. Portugal’s contribution to the totals →Analysis uses records reviewed .
Dated brief
SAFF says Al Nassr–Al Wasl hosting arrangements were complete
SAFF says it had completed hosting preparations, including flight permits, before the AFC postponed Al Nassr’s match against Al Wasl.
Our take: Our archive contains no Ronaldo goals from the postponed Al Wasl date. Until a completed fixture replaces that gap, a dispute about hosting cannot close any distance to 1,000. Ronaldo’s scoring archive →Analysis uses records reviewed .
Dated brief
Al Nassr–Al Wasl postponed; replacement date awaited
Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Wasl, scheduled for 26 October in Riyadh, has been postponed.
Our take: A postponement leaves the race unchanged: Ronaldo’s ledger total through this date was 982, not an estimate based on a scheduled fixture. The date filter lets readers distinguish played matches from the abandoned plan. Dated comparison →Analysis uses records reviewed .
Dated brief
Published by Daniel R · Original reporting summaries with source links. Browse the original dated updates archive · Article archive.