The Ballon d’Or 2008 was a defining year for global football: rising rivalries, outstanding club & international performances, and a changing of the guard.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were now firmly established among the world’s elite, but 2008 saw Ronaldo edge ahead.
Between Champions League glory, league titles, and a stellar Euro 2008, the question many asked was: Who deserved the 2008 Ballon d’Or?
Who Was Crowned Ballon d’Or 2008?
On 2 December 2008, France Football awarded the Ballon d’Or to Cristiano Ronaldo, marking his first ever win of the prestigious trophy.
Read also: Ballon d’Or Rankings 2006 – Top 3 Players
He outpolled his closest rivals by a comfortable margin, following a season in which his tally of 42 goals for Manchester United helped secure both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.
Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d’Or Winner 2008: Why He Achieved It
Ronaldo’s win in 2008 was rooted in several standout elements:
- Club success: Manchester United won the Premier League and the Champions League in the 2007-08 season, with Ronaldo playing a central role in both campaigns.
- Scoring feats: He scored 42 goals in all competitions, showing both consistency and match-winning ability.
- Wide recognition: Ronaldo was the only player to be named on all 96 ballots by the voting journalists.
- Intensifying Rivalry with Messi: Messi was second with a strong season of his own, but Ronaldo’s influence in key matches, both domestically and in Europe, gave him the edge.
This combination of team success, individual output, and high-pressure performances made Ronaldo the most deserving winner in 2008.
Ballon d’Or Rankings 2008: Top 10 Players
Here are the Top 10 players in the Ballon d’Or 2008 rankings, their club(s) at the time, nationality, and the points they earned:
| Rank | Player | Club(s) in 2008 | Nationality | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United | Portugal | 446 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Argentina | 281 |
| 3 | Fernando Torres | Liverpool | Spain | 179 |
| 4 | Iker Casillas | Real Madrid | Spain | 133 |
| 5 | Xavi | Barcelona | Spain | 97 |
| 6 | Andrey Arshavin | Zenit Saint Petersburg | Russia | 64 |
| 7 | David Villa | Valencia | Spain | 55 |
| 8 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | Internazionale | Sweden | 30 |
| 9 | Kaká | AC Milan | Brazil | 29 |
| 10 | Steven Gerrard | Liverpool | England | 28 |
Other Notable Nominees & Ranking Insights
Beyond the top 10, several players had memorable seasons:
- Marcos Senna (Villarreal, Spain) ‒ 11th with 16 points.
- Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal / Togo) ‒ solid international performance and club form, coming 12th.
- Wayne Rooney, Sergio Agüero, Frank Lampard, Franck Ribéry were among others listed, though with fewer points. Some nominees had zero points despite being shortlisted—showing how competitive the voting was.
Don’t miss: Ballon d’Or 2007 Rankings Revealed
The Ballon d’Or 2008 Rankings marked a major milestone: the first time Cristiano Ronaldo won the award, setting in motion one side of perhaps the greatest rivalry in modern football.
While Messi, Torres, and others had outstanding years, it was Ronaldo’s club success, high goalscoring, and visibility on Europe’s biggest stages that tipped the scales.
For many, 2008 was where Ronaldo truly emerged at the top of the world stage.
