Figo pips Becks to world crown

Luis Figo has pipped Manchester United and England star David Beckham to the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with Raul third.

Real's Portuguese wing wizard Figo suffered disappointment last year after finishing second, with midfield maestro Zinedine Zidane - now his team-mate at the Bernabeu - taking the crown.

But it is England skipper Beckham who has missed out this year, finishing runner-up to Figo following a vote by 132 national team coaches, who all nominated their top three players of 2001.

Figo, who moved to Real from Barcelona in a £41million deal in 2000, will receive his award at a special ceremony in Zurich tonight.