World Cup Corner

Reuters - 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.

Featuring alongside Ronaldinho in midfield in the world team are 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.

Cameroon striker Eto’o was chosen to partner Shevchenko up front, while England centre back John Terry made it three for English champions Chelsea.

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.

On accepting his award Rooney said: ‘It is a great honour to be in the same room as so many great players, and I would like to thank all the players who voted for me. It is a great honour to be spotted by your fellow professionals.’

FIFPro team:

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)