Another blow has been handed to Real Madrid and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo as French football journalists have revealed that Lionel Messi will be awarded the 2009 Ballon d'Or award.

The result was always expected and will be announced officially tomorrow at 2:00 pm European time. Messi has ascended a place every single season having finished 3rd in 2007, 2nd last year (behind Cristiano Ronaldo) and now winner in 2009. He is the first Argentine to win the award.

Lionel Messi won by the largest margin ever, making the result undoubted. In a poll voted by French football, he accrued 473 points out of a possible 480. Cristiano Ronaldo managed 233 points last term.

Messi guided his club Barcelona to Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey success last year, so the result will not come as a shock to anyone.

Congratulations to Lionel Messi and let's hope Cristiano Ronaldo can have a strong 2010 as he attempts to regain the crown.