Ballon d'Or Accused of Scam After Making BOAT Vote Purely Symbolic

France Football is at the center of controversy two days before the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, after clarifying that the BOAT — a public vote intended to designate the greatest winner of all time — will not result in any physical trophy or official award.

Launched online to allow supporters to choose among former winners who have won the trophy at least twice, the BOAT had generated massive enthusiasm, particularly among Cristiano Ronaldo fans, who mobilized to place the Portuguese star at the top of the vote. But a statement from the organizer dampened that enthusiasm: “The BOAT is exclusively a public vote intended to celebrate the passion of our supporters. It is neither a physical trophy nor an official award of our ceremony.”

What fuels the anger is that participation in the vote cost €1, without the purely symbolic nature of the title being clearly indicated when soliciting internet users. On X, reactions multiplied. “An official organization launched a prize costing €1 to participate in, and when Cristiano Ronaldo started winning, they changed it to call it a non-official prize. Everyone who made a donation should sue them!” wrote one user. Another denounced “absolute theft” and asked: “Why wasn’t this disclosed before taking people’s money?”

The BOAT should not be confused with the Super Ballon d’Or, the official award presented in 1989 to Alfredo Di Stefano for his career achievements. France Football has not yet publicly responded to refund requests mentioned by some participants.

The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward will therefore not be rewarded at the ceremony scheduled for Monday evening in London, regardless of his position in this popular ranking. The winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or remains highly uncertain, with many favorites just hours away from the verdict.