Soccer: Ronaldinho world player of the year

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," FIFPro president Gordon Taylor said. "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 European footballer of the year.

England centre 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 in the young player category.

England striker Wayne Rooney was chosen by their awards committee and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo voted by fans worldwide.