Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel ##lo was the 2009 Ballon d'Or winner . He won 473 votes -- 240 more than second - placed Cristiano Henry , who won last year . The 22-year - old player is the first Argentinian to win the award , launched in 1956 . It is organized by France Football magazine to determine the best player in Europe .
Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi crowned the 2009 Ballon d'Or winner . He won 473 votes -- 240 more than second-placed Cristiano Ronaldo , who won last year . The 22-year-old Messi is the first Argentinian to win the award , launched in 1956 . It is organized by France Football magazine to recognize the best player in Europe .