New Delhi, Oct. 29 -- Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo thanked football fans around the world after being crowned the inaugural winner of the Ballon d'Or of All Time (BOAT) award, saying the recognition also belonged to them.

"Football belongs to the fans! Thank you to all the fans around the world, the Ballon D'Or of All Time is also yours," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.

Ronaldo received the inaugural BOAT award following massive voting from fans worldwide, with his 2008 campaign with Manchester United recognised as the best-ever individual year in the history of football's most prestigious individual prize.

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