Portugal's Luis Figo has been named the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year following a vote by football officials worldwide in Zurich this afternoon. The Real Madrid midfielder was named ahead of Manchester United's David Beckham, who had to be content with second, and Real teammate Raul.
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 coaches to name their top three players for 2001. Beckham was hoping to become England's first winner of the prestigious award, having also finished runner-up to Barcelona's Rivaldo in United's 1999 Treble-winning year.
Filed by Shane Murray
