Republic of Ireland and Blackburn Rovers winger Damien Duff has been included in the "team of the year 2002" vote, a poll of almost a million internet votes carried out by UEFA's official website.

Duff, whose fine season at Blackburn Rovers was rounded off with some eye-catching performances during the World Cup in Japan and South Korea last summer, was included in a midfield selection that contains France's Zinedine Zidane, Germany's Michael Ballack, and Clarence Seedorf of the Netherlands.

Despite playing in an unfamiliar striking role in Japan and South Korea, Duff excelled during the tournament, scoring against Saudi Arabia in the group stages and earning a penalty against Spain in the second round.

European champions Real Madrid have supplied three players in the side.

UEFA.com said 900,000 people took part in the poll for the team of 2002, which is strictly unofficial and is not intended to compete with UEFA's own awards.

Zidane, whose spectacular volley secured the Champions League trophy for Real Madrid in last May's final victory over Bayer Leverkusen, received 44 per cent of the votes for the "attacking midfielder" role.

Roberto Carlos, another Real stalwart who capped a dream year by winning the World Cup with Brazil, did even better, securing 54 per cent of the votes for the left back spot.

Ronaldo, whose eight goals helped Brazil to that World Cup triumph before moving from Inter Milan to Spain, was the third Real player to make the line-up.

Arsenal's in-form French striker Thierry Henry was voted as Ronaldo's strike partner as he and Zidane were the only two players to make the team for the second successive season.

Turkey's impressive display in the World Cup was reflected by the presence of goalkeeper Rustu Recber in the team ahead of Germany's Oliver Kahn, and by the selection of Senol Gunes as coach of the notional line-up.

Germany, World Cup runners-up to Brazil, were represented in the selection by midfielder Ballack, who was superb for Bayer Leverkusen last season but missed the World Cup final through suspension. Dutch midfielder Seedorf made the team on the strength of his terrific form for both Milan clubs.

Ajax's Romanian defender Cristian Chivu's place was ensured by his role in the Dutch side's league and cup double and his growing reputation as one of Europe's finest young players.

GOALKEEPER

Rustu Recber (Fenerbahce and Turkey)

DEFENDERS

Carlos Puyol (Barcelona and Spain) Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan and Italy) Cristian Chivu (Ajax Amsterdam and Romania),

Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid and Brazil)

MIDFIELDERS

Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan and the Netherlands)

Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich and Germany)

Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid and France),

Damien Duff (Blackburn Rovers and Ireland)

FORWARDS

Thierry Henry (Arsenal and France), Ronaldo (Real Madrid and Brazil)

Coach: Senol Gunes (Turkey)