|
A South American Player of the Year has been awarded since 1971, started by the Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo. It was open to any South American player. Since 1986 the Uruguayan newspaper El País has chosen the Rey del Fútbol de América which has obtained official status. Only South American players of South American clubs are now eligible. Past poll winners, many who have gone on to star in Serie A, are:
2002: Jose Saturnino Cardozo (Mexico)
2001: Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina).
2000: Romario (Brazil).
1999: Javier Saviola (Argentina).
1998: Martin Palermo (Argentina).
1997: Marcelo Salas (Chile).
1996: Jose Luis Chilavert (Paraguay).
1995: Enzo Francescoli (Uruguay).
1994: Cafu (Brazil).
1993: Carlos Valderrama (Colombia).
1992: Rai (Brazil).
1991: Oscar Ruggieri (Argentina).
1990: Raul Vicente Amarilla (Paraguay).
1989: Bebeto (Brazil).
1988: Ruben Paz (Uruguay)
1987: Carlos Valderrama (Colombia)
1986: Antonio Alzamendi (Uruguay).
1985: Julio César Romero (Paraguay)
1984: Enzo Francescoli (Uruguay)
1983: Socrates Souza Oliveira (Brazil)
1982: Zico (Brazil)
1981: Zico (Brazil)
1980: Diego Armando Maradona (Argentina)
1979: Diego Armando Maradona (Argentina)
1978: Mario Kempes (Argentina)
1977: Zico (Brazil)
1976: Elias Figueroa (Chile)
1975: Elias Figueroa (Chile)
1974: Elias Figueroa (Chile)
1973: Pele (Brazil)
1972: Teófilo Cubillas (Peru)
1971: Eduardo de Andrade Tostao (Brazil)
|
