What happened: Cristiano Ronaldo finished ahead of Lionel Messi in voting for the inaugural B.O.A.T. (All-Time Ballon d'Or) award, per USA TODAY Sports. The retrospective ballot ranked the top individual Ballon d'Or-winning seasons in soccer history, with Ronaldo's 2008 campaign claiming first place.

Why it matters: The fan-voted distinction adds another benchmark to the career comparison between the two stars after Ronaldo extended his international goal record ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Both veterans remain active focal points for their clubs and national teams entering the final stretch of the 2026 calendar.

What to watch: Messi continues his 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs campaign after clinching a postseason berth earlier in October.