PARIS, Dec 16: Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldo has been named European Footballer of the Year, the France Football magazine announced on Monday.

Ronaldo, who played for Inter Milan last season before joining Real Madrid after the 2002 World Cup triumph, was voted Europe’s best player for a second time.

He was winner in 1997 when playing for Spanish side Barcelona.

Ronaldo’s Brazilian and Real Madrid team-mate Roberto Carlos was runner-up in the poll with Germany’s outstanding World Cup goalkeeper Oliver Kahn third.

1. Ronaldo (Bra, Inter Milan, Real Madrid) 171 points

2. Roberto Carlos (Bra, Real Madrid) 145

3. Oliver Kahn (Ger, Bayern Munich) 114

4. Zinedine Zidane (Fra, Real Madrid) 78

5. Michael Ballack (Ger, Bayer Leverkusen) 67.—AFP