Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel ##lo was the 2009 Ballon d'Or winner . He dominated the Ballon d'Or voting , polling 473 votes compared to second-placed Ronaldo 's 233 , and 27 more than the Real Madrid and Portugal winger received when he won it in 2008 for his exploits while with Manchester United . 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 ##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 .