Brazilian striker Ronaldinho won FIFA's World
Player of the Year award Monday, beating out France's Thierry Henry and
Ukrainian Andrei Shevchenko.
Germany's Birgit Prinz won the women's award, ahead of Mia Hamm and
Brazilian youngster Marta. Prinz was a repeat
winner.
Brazil was chosen team of the year.
Ronaldinho won the poll of national soccer associations with 620 votes,
ahead of Henry at 552 and Shevchenko with 253.
"This is a very special moment in my career," Ronaldinho said. "This is
a very important prize that will motivate me to try to be here again."
Ronaldinho has been brilliant for FC Barcelona, helping the Spanish
team reach the top of its league and the final 16 of the Champions League.
It's the first time he won the global award.
Henry was runner-up for the second year in a row; countryman
Zinedine Zidane won in 2003.
"You can't say if you don't win, you're happy," said Henry. "There's
two tremendous players by my side there. It's already amazing to be around
this kind of player."
The striker helped Arsenal win the English Premier League, going
undefeated last season, and his 30 goals led the league.
Shevchenko, voted European player of the year last week, was the
leading scorer in Italy's Serie A last season when his AC Milan won the
title. He has also helped Ukraine to a five-point lead at the top of its
World Cup qualifying group.
"It has been a great year for me," said Shevchenko.
FIFA chose Brazil as the top team in 2004 for having retained first
place in the world rankings.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-21 09:58
