Barcelona midfielder first FIFPro winner from 38,000 pros in 40 countries..
LONDON - Barcelona’s gifted Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho was elected the first FIFPro world player of the year on Monday from a poll of 38,000 professional players in 40 countries.
The members of the players’ world association also voted in a secret ballot to choose the 2004-05 season’s best team from a shortlist of 55 top names.
“It’s a great honour to receive another one of these big prizes and this one is extra special because it’s voted for by my fellow players,” said Ronaldinho, who was voted FIFA’s Player of the Year in December.
FIFPro president Gordon Taylor said: “There are no greater football critics than the players themselves.
“To be recognised by your fellow professionals from across the world is a unique honour.
“While we respect the many other football awards that are handed out I think it is special to see these results, the very first ballot among the world’s players.”
Ronaldinho, who helped his country win the 2002 World Cup, was also elected FIFA Player of the Year last December.
Featuring alongside the Brazilian in midfield were Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane with French compatriot Claude Makelele and his Chelsea team mate Frank Lampard of England.
AC Milan, last season’s Champions League runners-up, provided five players with Brazilian goalkeeper Dida and defenders Cafu, also of Brazil, as well as Italians Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko, the current European Footballer of the Year.
England center back John Terry made it three for English champions Chelsea.
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o of Barcelona was chosen to partner Shevchenko up front.
FIFPro, who announced the awards at a ceremony at the BBC broadcasting studios in London, said Manchester United had provided two winners of young player accolades.
Reuters
LONDON - Barcelona’s gifted Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho was elected the first FIFPro world player of the year on Monday from a poll of 38,000 professional players in 40 countries.
The members of the players’ world association also voted in a secret ballot to choose the 2004-05 season’s best team from a shortlist of 55 top names.
“It’s a great honour to receive another one of these big prizes and this one is extra special because it’s voted for by my fellow players,” said Ronaldinho, who was voted FIFA’s Player of the Year in December.
FIFPro president Gordon Taylor said: “There are no greater football critics than the players themselves.
“To be recognised by your fellow professionals from across the world is a unique honour.
“While we respect the many other football awards that are handed out I think it is special to see these results, the very first ballot among the world’s players.”
Ronaldinho, who helped his country win the 2002 World Cup, was also elected FIFA Player of the Year last December.
Featuring alongside the Brazilian in midfield were Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane with French compatriot Claude Makelele and his Chelsea team mate Frank Lampard of England.
AC Milan, last season’s Champions League runners-up, provided five players with Brazilian goalkeeper Dida and defenders Cafu, also of Brazil, as well as Italians Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko, the current European Footballer of the Year.
England center back John Terry made it three for English champions Chelsea.
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o of Barcelona was chosen to partner Shevchenko up front.
FIFPro, who announced the awards at a ceremony at the BBC broadcasting studios in London, said Manchester United had provided two winners of young player accolades.
Reuters
