Barcelona`s Messi wins Ballon D`Or

Paris: Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi was awarded the 2009 Ballon D`Or, French magazine France Football said on its website.

The 22-year-old became the first Ballon D`Or winner from Argentina, eclipsing runner-up and last year`s winner Cristiano Ronaldo by a record 240-point margin. The award`s 96 jurors gave Messi 473 points out of a possible 480, a near unanimous verdict, the magazine said.The win caps a brilliant year for the soft-spoken left-footer, who helped Barcelona to a Champions League title with nine goals, as well as bagging six in the King`s Cup and 23 in the league.The gong, formerly known as the European Footballer of the Year award, was voted on by journalists from across the world. Bureau Report