Zidane is FIFA World Player of the Year

Zinedine Zidane won the FIFA Player of the Year award for a third time Monday, beating French countryman Thierry Henry and Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo.

Birgit Prinz of Germany won the women's player of the year vote, easily beating Mia Hamm. Hamm won the soccer honor the two previous years.

World Cup champion Brazil retained its Team of the Year award.

Zidane, who also won in 1998 and 2000, led a poll of 142 national coaches. He had 264 points to Henry's 186. Ronaldo, last year's winner, received 176.

"The more often you get it the better. I don't think you ever get tired of winning it," Zidane said before the announcement.

"To be nominated along with Thierry and Ronaldo is a great satisfaction in itself."

Henry said that "to be here for the first time is great but to be here with Zinedine and Ronaldo is extraordinary."

Prinz, who finished with 268 points, helped Germany win the recent Women's World Cup over Sweden. Hamm received 133 points and Sweden's Hannah Ljungberg was third with 84. The women's balloting involved 100 national coaches.