CR7 has beaten Messi to win the B.O.A.T Award, adding another achievement to his remarkable career. The award, which stands for Ballon d’Or of All Time, was created to recognize the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in football history.
However, CR7’s victory has not been without controversy. The paid voting system and the limited number of eligible nominees have sparked debate among football fans, raising questions about the fairness of the results.
What Is the B.O.A.T Award Won by Cristiano Ronaldo?
B.O.A.T stands for Ballon d’Or of All Time, an award created to recognise the greatest Ballon d’Or-winning season in football history. Only players who have won the Ballon d’Or at least twice were eligible for nomination.
Ronaldo won the award for his 2008 Ballon d’Or-winning campaign, following an outstanding 2007/08 season with Manchester United. He scored 42 goals in all competitions, helping the club win both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
His individual achievements were equally impressive, as he also claimed the Premier League Golden Boot and the European Golden Shoe that season.
In the final voting results, Ronaldo’s 2008 campaign took first place, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi’s 2012 season. Ronaldo’s 2017 Ballon d’Or-winning campaign came third.
Voting System Sparks Controversy
While the Ronaldo-Messi rivalry often sparks debate, the main controversy surrounding the B.O.A.T Award came from its voting system.
Fans had to pay €1 ( MYR 4.50 ) per vote, allowing them to vote multiple times. This raised concerns that those willing to spend more money could have a greater influence on the results. Reports revealed that 5,009 people had voted more than once.
The nomination criteria also drew criticism, as only players with at least two Ballon d’Or titles were eligible. This excluded several legendary players, including Raymond Kopa, Ronaldinho, Michael Owen and Luka Modrić.
Ronaldo Celebrates His Award
Despite the controversy, Ronaldo welcomed the recognition and shared his reaction on Instagram.
“Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world, the Ballon d’Or of All Time is also yours.” he wrote.
The award adds to Ronaldo’s impressive list of achievements, including five Ballon d’Or titles, five Champions League trophies and league titles in England, Spain and Italy. He also helped Portugal win Euro 2016.
However, the debate surrounding the B.O.A.T Award is likely to continue, with questions remaining over its voting system and nomination criteria despite Ronaldo’s outstanding 2007/08 season.
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