LONDON, 20 September 2005 — Barcelona’s gifted Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho was elected the first FIFPro world player of the year yesterday 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.
“There are no greater football critics than the players themselves,” said FIFPro president Gordon Taylor. “To be recognized by your fellow professionals from across the world is a unique honor. “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.” RFeaturing 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.
England striker Wayne Rooney was chosen by their awards committee and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo voted by fans worldwide.
Team: Nelson Dida (Brazil/AC Milan); Cafu (Brazil/AC Milan), Alessandro Nesta (Italy/AC Milan), John Terry (England/Chelsea), Paolo Maldini (Italy/AC Milan); Frank Lampard (England/Chelsea), Claude Makelele (France/Chelsea), Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona) Zinedine Zidane (France/Real Madrid); Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon/Barcelona) Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine/AC Milan).
