France News

Ronaldinho, 25, who plays for his home country of Brazil and for FC Barcelona, was named European Footballer of the Year on Monday 27th November after leading Barcelona to the top of Spain's Primera Liga last season for the first time since 1999. In second place was Chelsea's Frank Lampard and third place went to Steven Gerrard, midfielder for Liverpool. Thierry Henry, who plays for France and Arsenal, came fourth and last year's winner, AC Milan and Ukraine forward, Andriy Shevchenko came fifth.

The winners were selected in an annual poll organised by France Football magazine and voted by 52 journalists from around the world. This year was the 50th anniversary of the award, which was first won by England's Sir Stanley Matthews back in 1956.

Ronaldinho was presented with the Ballon D'Or (Golden Ball) trophy at a ceremony near the Champs Elysee in Paris and said "This is a dream come true". He added "God gives gifts to everyone. Some can write, some can dance. He gave me the skill to play football and I am making the most of it."

In December last year he was chosen as FIFA player of the year by international coaches and FIFPro, the international players union, also named him World Player of the Year in September.

George Best was also remembered at the Ceremony in France. The Manchester United and Northern Ireland player and winner of the Golden Ball in 1968 when the Red Devils became the first English team to win the European Cup died last Friday after a long illness. As a tribute his former team-mates Sir Bobby Charlton (who won the award in 1966) and Denis Law (winner in 1964) were given a replacement trophy for his family as he had misplaced the original.