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The star of the Brazilian national team and Spanish champions Ronaldinho defended his FIFA World Player of the Year title on Monday.
The football virtuoso, who plays in attacking midfielder and forward positions, became the third Brazilian to win the title in the same year as winning the European Player of the Year title and the corresponding World prize. This feat was previously achieved by his compatriots Ronaldo (in 1997 and 2002) and Rivaldo (in 1999). Interestingly, both of them spent part of their careers playing for the Barcelona team.
The 25-year-old Ronaldinho collected 956 points, surpassing by more than three times the 306 points received by Chelsea defender Frank Lampard. The Brazilian teammate of 190 points, Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o, took third place.
The historical title of the best player of the year was won by German Birgit Prinz. Although Real stars Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane have each won the prestigious men's player title three times, the German became the first to win this title three years in a row.
All FIFA World Player of the Year prize winners:
1991 - Lothar Matthaeus (Germany), Inter Milan
1992 - Marco van Basten (Netherlands), AC Milan
1993 - Roberto Baggio (Italy), Juventus Turin
1994 - Romario (Brazil), Barcelona
1995 - George Weah (Liberia), AC Milan
1996 - Ronaldo (Brazil), Barcelona
1997 - Ronaldo (Brazil), Inter Milan
1998 - Zinedine Zidane (France), Juventus Turin
1999 - Rivaldo (Brazil), Barcelona
2000 - Zinedine Zidane (France), Juventus Turin
2001 - Luis Figo (Portugal), Real Madrid
2002 - Ronaldo (Brazil), Real Madrid
2003 - Zinedine Zidane (France), Real Madrid
2004 - Ronaldinho (Brazil), Barcelona
2005 - Ronaldinho (Brazil), Barcelona
