Milan's Brazilian striker, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and the 2006 Champions League with Barcelona, the vote to beat Argentine striker Lionel Messi and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
The result, announced today, was decided by votes received each year between 2000 and 2009.
Ronaldinho, 29, was chosen as the best footballer in the world by FIFA in 2004 and 2005, and won the Golden Ball in 2005.