Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the nominees for a special all-time Ballon d’Or award, which will mark the prize’s 70th anniversary in 2026.
The Ballon d’Or was first presented in 1956. To celebrate the milestone, organisers are asking supporters to select the greatest individual Ballon d’Or-winning year in the award’s history.
The competition is separate from this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or, for which Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are among the favourites.
Fans can vote for their B.O.A.T, although the poll will close at midnight on October 27th. The result is expected to be announced on October 28th.
The main ceremony will be held on October 26th at the London Palladium in London.
Messi has been nominated for eight of his winning years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Ronaldo is included for five years in which he won the award: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Johan Cruyff’s three nominated years are 1971, 1973 and 1974, while Michel Platini is represented by 1983, 1984 and 1985.
Marco van Basten’s winning years on the list are 1988, 1989 and 1992. Ronaldo Nazario has two nominations, for 1997 and 2002.
The remaining nominees are Franz Beckenbauer, with 1972 and 1976; Alfredo Di Stefano, with 1957 and 1959; Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, with 1980 and 1981; and Kevin Keegan, with 1978 and 1979.