FC Barcelona Brazilian striker Ronaldinho listens to a journalist's question during a news conference prior to the 2004 FIFA player of the year gala ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

ZURICH (AFP) - Brazil's Ronaldinho was named 2004 FIFA World Footballer of the Year here yesterday to cap a fine 12 months for both club and country.

His club Barcelona are racing away at the top of the Spanish league and Brazil are well on course to qualify for the 2006 World Cup from South American qualifiers.

The result, from a shortlist including Thierry Henry of France and Ukrainian 2004 European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko, was announced at a gala evening at the Zurich opera house.

"Just to be here brings me great joy," Ronaldinho said. "This was a great victory, particularly as I have never been a great scorer. But we all play in our own way and each of the three nominees deserved to win. I'm even more happy now that I have won."

Ronaldinho was acclaimed by Pele himself as the best player at the 2002 World Cup and it is not surprising his talent has been finally recognised with this award.

Ronaldinho's blinding pace unhinged England's defence in the quarter-finals to set up a goal for Rivaldo, and his audacious free-kick caught out David Seaman to seal a 2-1 victory for Brazil.

Arguably, he was the most important component of Brazil's vaunted 'Triple R' strike-force at those 2002 finals, surging forward from just behind Ronaldo and Rivaldo and pulling opposing defenders out of position.

Undoubtedly, he was one of the key components of Brazil winning their unprecedented fifth World Cup title.
He was hailed as the new boy-wonder of Brazilian football after starring in Brazil's winning 1997 FIFA Under-17 World Championship campaign, a tournament he finished as top scorer.

He confirmed his burgeoning talent at the 1999 Copa America, scoring an extraordinary individual goal against Venezuela which has passed into Brazilian folklore.

The award comes after a great year at Barcelona, for whom he signed from PSG for 30 million euros in July, 2003, under the noses of Manchester United, who were also courting him.

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