Do you realise just how perfect the timing of this BOAT award is? The people running this organisation were convinced that Ronaldo's image, which they have played a part in tarnishing for years, was already beyond repair, especially after his fallout with the Portuguese national team. So they introduced this award, probably thinking it would be an easy sweep for Messi. They even made voting paid, supposedly to ensure that only real humans could vote, knowing how easily online polls can be manipulated by bots. But here's the shocker: despite everything they thought was working against Ronaldo, they completely underestimated just how much the football world loves and respects him. What they failed to understand is that Ronaldo has the streets. Messi may have the backing of journalists, pundits and bitter ex-players, but Ronaldo has the hearts of millions of genuine football fans around the world. Run any poll where real football fans get to have their say, and Ronaldo will always beat Messi. Because at the end of the day, the streets will always appreciate hard work over handouts.