On 23 September, it was discovered by
Catalan newspaper
El Periódico of an investigation into the daily lives of four possible candidates for the Barcelona presidential election in 2010. The investigation was authorized by FC Barcelona director general, Joan Oliver, who hired investigating company Metodo 3 to gather daily information on vice president of institution and assets administration Joan Franquesa, vice president for marketing and media Jaume Ferrer, vice president for finance and treasurer Joan Boix, and vice president for sport Rafael Yuste between late March and early April 2009. Oliver stated in a press conference the next day at the
Camp Nou that "Barça did no spying but were just protecting the entity of the club". President
Joan Laporta stated that "this happened five months ago. Certain events happened and when I found out about them, the corresponding explanations were given. These explanations were understood and accepted since no law was broken." He added that "it was understood that the reports that were asked for were within the limits of legality and were to protect the affected parties and the club. Therefore, the page was turned and the case was closed." Laporta also said that "we are better than we have ever been in our entire history in our methods of operation, and now, because they want to destabilise us, people drag up issues like these. We will continue the same way, because everyone does it as well. We are used to living under pressure and people trying to destabilise us... Barça is united and united we are unbeatable." Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola stated that "he has shielded the squad from the scandal of the investigation" and that "the subject has not been spoken of in the locker room and even the captains have not mentioned it, there's total concentration." On 11 November, vice-president Joan Franquesa handed in his resignation for "personal reasons". Continuing the turmoil in the Barcelona Board-Room. President Joan Laporta took action by restructuring the board of directors and making Albert Perrín, the new vice-president. Laporta stated "He was making changes for these individuals to get to know the best club better."
Ballon d'Or & FIFA World Player of the Year On 1 December,
France Football magazine announced
Lionel Messi was the winner of the
2009 Ballon d'Or, thus making him the ninth player while playing at Barcelona and the first Argentine and
canterano from
La Masia to win the coveted footballer prize. Messi dedicated his triumph at the
Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to "my family, who have always been by my side and my teammates at Barça who've done everything to ensure I could win the award". He also addressed his teammates
Xavi and
Andrés Iniesta, who finished third and fourth respectively: "They've given everything for Barça and they deserve their recognition. If I'd had a vote I would have voted for any of the Barça players." On 21 December, Messi was named
2009 FIFA World Player of the Year at the
Kongresshaus Zürich in
Zürich. Messi claimed the prize by a record vote with a considerable wide margin, receiving 1,073 votes to
Real Madrid forward
Cristiano Ronaldo's 352 votes, who finished second after winning the
year before. Teammates Xavi and Iniesta finished in third and fifth respectively, closing out 2009 as one of the most memorable years in Barcelona history. On 16 January, Messi became the youngest player to score 100 official goals for the Catalan club. He achieved the feat by scoring a
brace in a league match vs
Sevilla at the Camp Nou. He stated, "It was a relief to get the goal" and "the truth is that with all the big things that have happened to me, well I'm not giving them too much importance. I just try and live quietly and normally and keep my eye on achieving more." On 16 May, Messi completed the 2009–10 as the
Pichichi Trophy and the
European Golden Shoe winner with 34 league goals.
Víctor Valdés won the
Zamora Trophy for the best La Liga
goalkeeper of the season. ===
IFFHS Awards=== On 13 January, the International Federation of Football History & Statistic named Xavi the 2009 World's Best Playmaker and both teammates Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta received second and fourth place respectively. Lastly, manager Pep Guardiola was named 2009 World Club Coach. ==FIFA Club World Cup & season friendly==