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The Brazilian super star Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, whose football name is Ronaldinho, has won the FIFA 2004 World Player of the Year award. The prestigious prize was presented to him at the Player Gala 2004 in Zurich last night.The FC Barcelona player won the award with 620 points; Arsenal FC striker Thierry Henry collected 552 points and AC Milan forward Andriy Shevchenko had 253 points. Former PSV striker Ruud van Nistelrooy deservingly came ninth, having gained 67 points. The Manchester United striker was voted number one five times by some 300 coaches and captains from international sides; he was voted number two ten times and number twelve times. Fellow countryman Roy Makaay (FC Bayern Munich) came 24th having earned 17 points.Winner Ronaldinho announced he hoped that it would not be his last major award. "I hope that I will be fit and healthy in 2005 and I hope to win many trophies with both FC Barcelona and Brazil."
