FIFA set to unveil player of year

Ronaldo is in contention for a record fourth World Player of the Year award. Story Tools QUICKVOTE Who was the best player of 2003? Thierry Henry Ronaldo Zinedine Zidane VIEW RESULTS PLAYER PROFILES • Ronaldo  Real Madrid and Brazil • Zidane  Real Madrid and France • Henry  Arsenal and France PREVIOUS WINNERS 2002: Ronaldo 2001: Luis Figo 2000: Zinedine Zidane 1999: Rivaldo 1998: Zinedine Zidane 1997: Ronaldo 1996: Ronaldo 1995: George Weah 1994: Romario 1993: Roberto Baggio 1992: Marco Van Basten 1991: Lothar Matthaeus

BASEL, Switzerland -- The latest winner of FIFA's World Player of the Year award, the most prestigious individual honor in football, will be revealed at a gala on Monday.

Brazilian three-time award winner Ronaldo, two-time winner Zinedine Zidane and his French international teammate Thierry Henry are the three contenders for the prize.

The winner is determined by the votes of 142 national coaches, with each ranking their three favorite players over the past 12 months.

Real Madrid and Brazil striker Ronaldo won for the third time last year following his country's success at the 2002 World Cup. He previously won in 1996 and 1997.

French playmaker Zidane, Ronaldo's teammate at Madrid, was also among the nominees last year having won in 1998 and 2000.

Arsenal striker Henry has been nominated for the first time and Gunners' coach Arsene Wenger insists the 26-year-old is still improving.

"On his individual performances he should win," said Wenger.

"But the biggest step is to have been considered in the top three. Between him, Zidane or Ronaldo then it becomes more subjective. There is nothing between them.

"I'm convinced there is even more to come from him. He can improve everywhere, in everything."

The women's shortlist features two-time winner Mia Hamm of the U.S., German World Cup winner Birgit Prinz and Sweden's Hanna Ljungberg.

FIFA will also make presentations to Brazil as the Top Team of the Year, and to Bahrain as the Best Mover of the Year following their jump from 105 to 64 in the world rankings.

The winner of a FIFA Presidential Award and a Fair Play Award will also be revealed.

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