In 2009, the world of football stood at a crossroads.
Two of the greatest players ever—Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—were both at peak forms, pushing each other to extraordinary heights.
As the year came to a close, fans, pundits, and the international press waited with bated breath: who would be crowned the Ballon d’Or 2009? This was the moment when Messi would claim his first ever Ballon d’Or, a trophy that would begin a new chapter in football history.
In this article, we explore who won, why he deserved it, and how the rankings looked.
Let’s unpack the story behind Ballon d’Or 2009 Rankings: Messi or Ronaldo?
Don’t miss: Ballon d’Or 2007 Rankings Revealed
Who Was Crowned Ballon d’Or 2009?
Lionel Messi was awarded the 2009 Ballon d’Or by France Football.
- The ceremony took place on 1 December 2009 in Paris.
- It was Messi’s first Ballon d’Or.
- He won by a record margin at that time—473 points, which put him well ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo who had 233 points.
Messi Ballon d’Or Winner 2009 — How and Why He Earned It?
To understand why Messi claimed the Ballon d’Or 2009, we have to look at his achievements during that calendar year and his impact both individually and for his club.
- Outstanding Performance & Statistics
- Messi had an incredible year with FC Barcelona, scoring crucial goals and delivering consistency across different competitions. His dribbles, assists, movement, and ability to change games made him stand out.
- He helped Barcelona win major titles in 2009, including the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, which always add weight in Ballon d’Or voting. His contributions in big matches were decisive.
- Comparisons with Ronaldo
- Cristiano Ronaldo was also phenomenal in 2009, with high goal tallies, big moments for Manchester United (and Real Madrid toward end of year). But the voters deemed Messi’s influence more consistent, more magical, especially in terms of creating chances not just finishing them.
- Messi also embodied an aesthetic appeal—his style of play was often described as pure, fluid, and inspiring. The press around the world recognized not only his effectiveness but also his artistry on the pitch.
- Historical Significance & Firsts
- Messi became the first Argentinian-born player to win since Omar Sívori in 1961 (though Sívori was registered as Italian at the time).
- His win in 2009 laid the foundation of a Ballon d’Or dynasty, as he would go on to win many more in subsequent years. So the 2009 victory was a turning point.
Ballon d’Or 2009: Top 10 Players
Here are the top 10 in the 2009 Ballon d’Or rankings—those who were closest to Messi and Ronaldo in the voting.
The table shows their rank, nationalities, clubs, and points.
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Club(s) in 2009 | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona | 473 |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Manchester United / Real Madrid | 233 |
| 3 | Xavi | Spain | Barcelona | 170 |
| 4 | Andrés Iniesta | Spain | Barcelona | 149 |
| 5 | Samuel Eto’o | Cameroon | Barcelona / Internazionale | 75 |
| 6 | Kaká | Brazil | Milan / Real Madrid | 58 |
| 7 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | Sweden | Internazionale / Barcelona | 50 |
| 8 | Wayne Rooney | England | Manchester United | 35 |
| 9 | Didier Drogba | Ivory Coast | Chelsea | 33 |
| 10 | Steven Gerrard | England | Liverpool | 32 |
In the debate “Messi or Ronaldo?”, Messi won the 2009 Ballon d’Or decisively.
While both were titans that year, Messi’s blend of consistency, flair, key contributions in trophies, and historic significance pushed him ahead.
Read also: Ballon d’Or 2008 Rankings: Messi or Ronaldo?
The 2009 rankings also show how strong the supporting cast of world-class players was—Xavi, Iniesta, Eto’o and Kaká among them—yet none amassed enough influence to outshine Messi.
