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Tevez named Latin America Footballer of the Year
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-30 09:43
RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Argentina forward Carlos Tevez has been
voted Latin America's Footballer of the Year for the third year running in a
poll by Uruguayan newspaper El Pais.
Brazil's President
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) receives a jersey with his name from
Argentine soccer player Carlos Tevez of Brazilian club Corinthians at
Planalto Palace in Brasilia December 6, 2005. Corinthians claimed the
Brazilian championship on December 5.
[Reuters] | The 21-year-old, who won the vote in
2003 and 2004 thanks to his performances with Boca Juniors, this year topped the
poll after leading Corinthians to the Brazilian championship title in his first
season with the club.
Tevez, who scored 20 goals in the competition and captained the team, was
signed by Corinthians at the end of last year in a $18 million move, a record
between two South American clubs.
Tevez was followed by three players from South American Libertadores Cup
winners and World Club champions Sao Paulo -- defender Diego Lugano, a Uruguayan
international, fullback Cicinho and goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni.
He is the first player to win the award three times.
Uruguay's Anibal Ruiz was named coach of the year after leading Paraguay to
their third successive World Cup finals. He was followed by Brazil coach Carlos
Alberto Parreira and Sao Paulo coach Paulo Autuori.
"I'm very happy to receive this type of recognition," Ruiz told Reuters by
telephone from Barcelona.
"It has a special meaning because it has been a very tough year," added the
58-year-old, who survived a campaign to have him ousted as coach following a 4-1
defeat by Brazil.
Paraguay recovered to win three games in a row, including a 1-0 win victory
over Argentina, to seal their place in Germany.
The award, the most respected in the region, has been given every year since
1986 and is based on a poll of around 400 journalists. Players and coaches have
to be based in Latin America for at least part of the year to be eligible.
Previous winners include Brazil's Romario and Cafu and Colombia's Carlos
Valderrama.
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