Portugal's Luis Figo was named the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year in Zurich today.
It is the first time a Portuguese player has won the annual award presented by the sport's world governing body, who asked 130 national team coaches to name their top three players for 2001.
Figo beat off challenges from England and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham, who came second, and Real team-mate Raul, who finished third in the voting.
"I played in a team which made it possible for me to be here," Figo told journalists shortly before he received the award from FIFA president Joseph Blatter at a ceremony in Zurich.
"All the time I have never planned my sports career, in any case I never counted on a moment like this one. But with hard work everything is possible."
Figo was edged out of the annual award last year by his now teammate and fellow midfielder at the Spanish league champions, Zinedine Zidane.
AFP