Nedved claims Ballon d'Or
Juventus midfield player Pavel Nedved has been voted European Footballer of the Year, organisers France Football magazine have announced.
Monday, 13 May 2002

The 31-year-old Czech international claimed his first Ballon d'Or - Golden Ball - after inspiring Juve's run to the 2002/03 Scudetto and Champions League final, a match Nedved missed through suspension. On the international stage he helped the Czech Republic win EURO 2004 qualifying Group 3 ahead of the Netherlands, and they are considered serious contenders to triumph in Portugal. 

Nedved was also named 2003 Czech athlete of the year this week. He is the first Czech to claim the Ballon d'Or since Josef Masopust claimed the award in 1962. In the vote of journalists from UEFA's 52 member countries, he finished 62 points ahead of his nearest competitior, Arsenal's French striker Thierry Henry. 

Paolo Maldini's reward for leading AC Milan to the Champions League title was third place, while last year's winner Ronaldo ended eleventh. However, four of his Real Madrid CF team-mates - Zinedine Zidane, Raúl González, Roberto Carlos and summer signing David Beckham - made the top ten. Zidane was recently named 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year, but was only fifth in this poll.  - UEFA.com