President Joan Laporta stated that " this happened five months ago . Certain events happened and when I found out about them , the corresponding explanations were given . These explanations were understood and accepted since no law was broken . " He added that " it was understood that the reports that were asked for were within the limits of legality and were to protect the affected parties and the club . Therefore , the page was turned and the case was closed . " Laporta also said that " we are better than we have ever been in our entire history in our methods of operation , and now , because they want to destabilise us , people drag up issues like these . We will continue the same way , because everyone does it as well . We are used to living under pressure and people trying to destabilise us … Barça is united and united we are unbeatable . " Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola stated that " he has shielded the squad from the scandal of the investigation " and that " the subject has not been spoken of in the locker room and even the captains have not mentioned it , there 's total concentration . " On 11 November , vice-president Joan Franquesa handed in his resignation for " personal reasons " . Continuing the turmoil in the Barcelona Board-Room . President Joan Laporta took action by restructuring the board of directors and making Albert Perrín , the new vice-president . Laporta stated " He was making changes for these individuals to get to know the best club better . " On 1 December , '' France Football '' magazine announced Lionel Messi was the winner of the 2009 Ballon d'Or , thus making him the ninth player while playing at Barcelona and the first Argentine and '' canterano '' from La Masia to win the coveted footballer prize . Messi dedicated his triumph at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to " my family , who have always been by my side and my teammates at Barça who 've done everything to ensure I could win the award " . He also addressed his teammates Xavi and Andrés Iniesta , who finished third and fourth respectively : " They 've given everything for Barça and they deserve their recognition . If I 'd had a vote I would have voted for any of the Barça players . " On 21 December , Messi was named 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year at the Kongresshaus Zürich in Zürich . Messi claimed the prize by a record vote with a considerable wide margin , receiving 1,073 votes to Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo 's 352 votes , who finished second after winning the year before . Teammates Xavi and Iniesta finished in third and fifth respectively , closing out 2009 as one of the most memorable years in Barcelona history
2009 Ballon d'Or
2009 Ballon d'Or
2009–10 FC Barcelona season