Ronaldinho is 2005 European footballer of the year

PARIS – Silky-smooth Brazil and Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho was named the 50th European footballer of the year at a lavish ceremony on Monday night.

The 25-year-old, who finished third last year behind 2004 winner Andriy Shevchenko, was awarded the prize run since 1956 by France Football magazine with 225 points. He became the third Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or after his compatriots Ronaldo, who won it in 1997 and 2002, and Rivaldo, who won it in 1999.Ronaldinho added the award to his 2004 Fifa World Player of the Year title and the inaugural honour from FIFpro, the international players’ union.”It’s a dream come true for me to win such a prestigious award,” said the long-haired Brazilian who arrived in Europe, at French club Paris St Germain, in 2001.”Just looking at the list of players to have won it, including Ronaldo and Rivaldo, makes me feel quite special and makes me want to continue working hard and being successful with Barcelona and Brazil.”This award is as much for my teammates at Barcelona and Brazil.”Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard came second after garnering 148 points from the 52 voting journalists, one from each of the continent’s association countries, while his England international teammate Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, came third.Another English Premiership player, Thierry Henry of Arsenal and France, was fourth on 41 points just ahead of last year’s winner, Ukrainian Shevchenko of AC Milan (33).Ronaldinho’s prize, largely representing the player’s performances last season, was hotly anticipated.The former Gremio (Brazil) and Paris St Germain forward helped Brazil win the Confederations Cup earlier this year.He has also played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s resurgence in the Spanish football league last season when the Catalan giants won the league trophy after a six-year hiatus.Despite being a huge talent both at club and international level, Barcelona seems to have brought the best out of the flamboyant long-haired midfielder, whose mazy turns, deft feints and superb goal-scoring ability has left many a defender kicking out at thin air.His ball skills, some of which have spawned their own names, have long been compared to those of his esteemed compatriot Pele, to whom he was compared six years ago at the Copa America in Paraguay when he scored a similar goal to the one scored by the Brazil legend against Wales at the 1958 World Cup.-Nampa-AFPHe became the third Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or after his compatriots Ronaldo, who won it in 1997 and 2002, and Rivaldo, who won it in 1999.Ronaldinho added the award to his 2004 Fifa World Player of the Year title and the inaugural honour from FIFpro, the international players’ union.”It’s a dream come true for me to win such a prestigious award,” said the long-haired Brazilian who arrived in Europe, at French club Paris St Germain, in 2001.”Just looking at the list of players to have won it, including Ronaldo and Rivaldo, makes me feel quite special and makes me want to continue working hard and being successful with Barcelona and Brazil.”This award is as much for my teammates at Barcelona and Brazil.”Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard came second after garnering 148 points from the 52 voting journalists, one from each of the continent’s association countries, while his England international teammate Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, came third.Another English Premiership player, Thierry Henry of Arsenal and France, was fourth on 41 points just ahead of last year’s winner, Ukrainian Shevchenko of AC Milan (33).Ronaldinho’s prize, largely representing the player’s performances last season, was hotly anticipated.The former Gremio (Brazil) and Paris St Germain forward helped Brazil win the Confederations Cup earlier this year.He has also played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s resurgence in the Spanish football league last season when the Catalan giants won the league trophy after a six-year hiatus.Despite being a huge talent both at club and international level, Barcelona seems to have brought the best out of the flamboyant long-haired midfielder, whose mazy turns, deft feints and superb goal-scoring ability has left many a defender kicking out at thin air.His ball skills, some of which have spawned their own names, have long been compared to those of his esteemed compatriot Pele, to whom he was compared six years ago at the Copa America in Paraguay when he scored a similar goal to the one scored by the Brazil legend against Wales at the 1958 World Cup.-Nampa-AFP

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