The age-old rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may not end soon, and the former just claimed the latest bragging rights.

Two days after Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Player of the Year Award, the Ballon d’Or organisers announced Ronaldo as the winner of the Ballon d’Or of All Time.

Ronaldo finished first ahead of Messi in a public voting system that saw the two football icons go head-to-head for the prize.

Unlike the traditional Ballon d’or voted for by journalists, the Ballon d’Or of All Time was decided by the public and fan community.

Fans voted from a poll of of 10 players who had won the award at least twice. The list includes Ronaldo, Messi, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, and Karl-Heinz RummeniggeMichel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, Brazil’s Ronaldo, Kevin Keegan, Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Ronaldo’s 2008 Ballon d’Or topped the poll, Messi’s 2012 triumph, Ronaldo’s feat in 2017, Messi’s award in 2016, and Ronaldo’s 2014 and 2016Ronldo awards made the top five.

Messi and Ronaldo’s awards dominated the top 10 including all of Ronaldo’s five.

Cristiano Ronaldo, won his first award in 2008, when he led Manchester United to the Champions League and Premier League trumps scoring 42 goals in all competitions. The Portuguese legend edged Messi and Torres to the award that year.

The results add another chapter to the eternal rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo even though Messi still holds the most individual Ballon d’Or wins with eight three more than his rival.