Ronaldo named as world's best player
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Ronaldo was named Fifa's World Player of the Year at an awards ceremony here last night. The Brazilian striker is the first player to collect the accolade three times.
Ronaldo was the clear winner, collecting 387 points, the Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn came second with 171 with the France midfielder Zinedine Zidane was third with 148. They left Manchester United's David Beckham (51), Arsenal's Thierry Henry (38) and Liverpool's Michael Owen (34) trailing in eighth, ninth and 10th places, respectively.
Ronaldo scored eight goals, including two in the final, as Brazil won the World Cup in the summer. He was also named the European Footballer of the Year on Monday, awarded by France Football magazine.
"This has been a wonderful year for me," Ronaldo said. "It is a great honour. Winning awards means nothing without the companionship of your team-mates and I share my awards with them."
Ronaldo first won the award in 1996. He won it again the year after, but injuries then curtailed his career and he made a long tribute to those who had helped him in his battle to regain full fitness. "I want to dedicate this to lots of people. I would hate to forget anyone, but perhaps especially the medical team who have always been with me and my family and friends," the Brazilian said.
He also paid special thanks to the former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. "My coach was very important in getting me back to fitness. It gave me a great lift and I wish him the best of luck in his new job with Portugal."
The Brazilian was named in first place by 59 of the 148 international coaches who cast their votes, with 28 choosing him as second and eight making him their third choice.
Interestingly, he failed to poll a single vote from the traditional powerhouses of world football: Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The England coach Sven Goran Eriksson cast his votes for Roberto Carlos, who finished fourth, Michael Ballack, who ended up seventh, and Zidane.
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