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