Ronaldo de Assis "Ronaldinho," of Barcelona, termed as a "reward to his work" the recognition awarded by the International Soccer Federation (FIFA) as best player of the year. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

Photo: Xinhua/Reuters

Soccer players Ronaldinho from Brazil, left, and Birgit Prinz from Germany, right, accept their awards for FIFA World Players of the Year at the FIFA Centennial World Player Gala 2004 in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday. (photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

Photo: Dayoo

    MADRID, Dec. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Ronaldo de Assis "Ronaldinho," of Barcelona, termed as a "reward to his work" the recognition awarded by the International Soccer Federation (FIFA) as best player of the year.

    Ronaldinho told Monday the Spanish press the award is "very good" and dedicated it to those who have supported him in his career, including "mates and family."

    He termed 2004 as a "perfect year," although he said the best of him is yet to be shown.

    The Brazilian international said now he will gofor the Spanish League and the UEFA Champions League.

    "I will try by any means to make of Barcelona a winning team," said the striker, who qualified the award as "the most important he has ever won individually." Enditem

Factbox of Ronaldinho

    GENEVA, Dec. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Following is a factbox on Ronaldinho, named FIFA World Player of the Year on Monday:

    1980 - Born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, March 21. Full name Ronaldo Assis de Moreira. Brother Roberto Assis is a former Brazilian international.

    1997 - Top scorer at the under-17 world championship in Egypt.

    1998 - Makes professional debut with local team Gremio, playingfive games.

    1999 - Plays first game for Brazil against Latvia on June 26. Wins Copa America with Brazil, scoring his first international goal against Paraguay. Has won 34 caps for Brazil, scoring 13 goals to date.

    2000 - Top scorer in the Confederations Cup with six goals.

    2001 - Signs for Paris St Germain on a five-year contract. Moves to Paris in March but starts playing only at the beginning of the 2001-2002 season in August after a protracted legal battle between PSG and Gremio over the transfer fee. Gremio receive $4.5 million for the player.

    2002 - Wins the World Cup with Brazil. One of the best players in the tournament, scores a spectacular 35-metre lob against England in the quarter-finals.

    2002-2003 - Resumes playing with PSG late after recovering fromthe World Cup. His relationship with coach Luis Fernandez deteriorates despite occasional brilliant performances and his tally of eight goals.

    2003 - Makes it clear he hopes to leave PSG after they fail to qualify for European competition. His brother and now agent Roberto Assis starts negotiations with Manchester United. Barcelona enter the fray with an offer for the Brazilian.

    July 19 - Ronaldinho signs a five-year contract with Barcelona.

    September 2 - Scores his first league goal for Barcelona in the1-1 draw against Sevilla, completing a slaloming run from inside his own half with a stunning 25-metre shot.

    October 15 - Scores a brilliant hat-trick as Barcelona crush Slovak side Puchov 8-0 in the UEFA Cup.

    Ends his first season with Barca with 14 league goals, inspiring the team to a 17-game unbeaten run that lifts them to second place in the Primera Liga.

    July 2004 - Like Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos is rested for the Copa America and misses Brazil's title triumph.

    Scores a hat-trick in Brazil's 6-0 friendly international win over Haiti in August.

    Struggles early in Spanish season with an ankle injury.

    November 2004 - Scores a stunning last-gasp winner in Barcelona's 2-1 victory over AC Milan at the Nou Camp in Champions League.

    Inspires Barcelona to a 3-0 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid atthe Nou Camp.

    Included alongside Andriy Shevchenko and Thierry Henry on the three-man shortlist for the 2004 World Player of the Year.

    December 20 - Named World Player of the Year.

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