Related: Annual winners of the European Footballer of the Year

    PARIS, Nov. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Brazilian Ronaldinho completed his hat trick of awards when he was named the European Footballer of the Year here on Monday.

    The 25-year-old forward won the vote by European soccer journalists organised by French soccer magazine France Football after guiding Barcelona to last season's Primera Liga title.

    Frank Lampard, a key member of Chelsea's Premier League-winning side, stood second in the vote, ahead of fellow England midfielder Steven Gerrard who helped Liverpool for the surprise Champions League triumph.

    "To be here with all those great players applauding me is a dream come true," said Ronaldinho after receiving the golden ball trophy at a ceremony in Paris.

    "This gives me motivation to keep working and try to emulate them," said the Brazilian forward, "I have the chance to do for a living what I like the most in life, and that's playing football. I can make people happy and enjoy myself at the same time."

    Earlier, Ronaldinho was named by international coaches as FIFA World Player of the Year in last December, and was then honoured by his fellow professionals when he won the inaugural FIFPro World Player of the Year trophy in September. Enditem

European Footballer of the Year award results

1. Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona) 225 points

2. Frank Lampard (England/Chelsea) 148

3. Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool) 142

4. Thierry Henry (France/Arsenal) 41

5. Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine/AC Milan) 33

6. Paolo Maldini (Italy/AC Milan) 23

7. Adriano (Brazil/Inter) 22

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Juventus) 21

9. Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan) 19

10. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon/Barcelona) 18