Ronaldo, who scored both goals in Brazil's 2-0 World Cup final win over Germany, has been voted Reuters Sportsman of the Year for 2002. Thirty-four sports editors and journalists from 27 countries nominated up to three leading sportsmen of 2002, with each first place choice awarded three points, second place two points and third place received one point.
Striker Ronaldo, who came back after three years of injury to score eight goals at the World Cup, won with 63 points out of a possible total of 102. German Formula One champion Michael Schumacher came in second with 48 points, while four times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong was third with 29 points.
Sports journalists said Ronaldo's performance at this year's World Cup allowed him to lay to rest the memories of the 1998 France tournament when Brazil lost 3-0 to France in the final. Andre Fontenelle, a contributing editor at Placar in Brazil, said: "Ronaldo's comeback from a long injury recovery to become World Cup champion and best scorer will be remembered as one of the greatest sporting achievements of all time."
Last year's winner Schumacher finished second after claiming 11 Grand Prix victories in 2002 and is aiming to win a record sixth Formula One title next season.
Filed by Shane Murray
