World prize still within Henry's grasp
Thierry Henry might find some consolation in the fact that the European Player of the Year has gone on to be crowned the world’s best only once in the last four years.
Having finished only fourth in the European stakes last night, Henry’s prospects of landing the FIFA Player of the Year award may look increasingly slim.
But only Ronaldo in 2002 of the past four Ballon d’Or winners has also been lauded by the world governing body, with Pavel Nedved last year, Michael Owen in 2001 and Luis Figo in 2000 losing out for the game’s biggest individual prize.
FIFA will announce their award winner on Monday in Zurich, and Henry is one of the three short-listed players, along with Andriy Shevchenko and Ronaldinho, first and third yesterday in the European award.
Given the current political uncertainty in his homeland, Shevchenko was hopeful that the award would bring some welcome good news to his compatriots.
“I would like to thank all the people who helped me get it and to dedicate it to Ukraine and my people. I am a Ukrainian and I am always proud to be so,” he said.
