Juventus keeper Buffon wins top UEFA award

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was named Europe's Most Valuable Player of last season at UEFA's annual gala awards night on Thursday following his fine performances in the Champions League.

The 25-year-old, who became the world's most expensive keeper when he moved from Parma to Juve for $45.9 million in 2001, was also named the best goalkeeper in the competition.

Buffon won that award even though he could not prevent AC Milan winning the Champions League final on penalties at Old Trafford in May.

One of the outstanding moments of his European season came when he saved a crucial penalty in the semi-final second leg against Real Madrid.

If Figo had scored Real would have gone level on aggregate in the match but in the end Juventus won 3-1 to win the tie 4-3 and reach the final.

Just as important was his last-minute save from Figo in the first leg in Madrid which stopped Real from taking a 3-1 lead to Turin.

But probably his most impressive display in last year's Champions League run was in the quarter-final second leg at Barcelona as 10-man Juve won 2-1 in extra-time.

Real Madrid's Brazilian international left back Roberto Carlos was named defender of the season while Pavel Nedved of Juventus was named the best midfielder.

Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United, who scored 12 goals in the Champions League, was named best attacker.

Paolo Maldini, who captained AC Milan to victory in the Champions League final, was handed the President's Award for his outstanding contribution to soccer in his 17-year career which shows no sign of ending yet. He is the first player to win the award.

The Fair Play Award was handed to supporters of Celtic for the part they played in Europe last season and especially for the atmosphere they helped create on a memorable night in Seville at the UEFA Cup final against Porto in May.

Despite their team's late 3-2 defeat against Porto the Celtic fans applauded their rivals' victory after transforming Seville into a sea of green and white-hooped shirts for several days before and after the game.