2003年12月23日
Nedved: 'Henry is the best striker'
Pavel Nedved has paid tribute to Thierry Henry after pipping him to the European Footballer of the Year award.
The Ballon D'Or, as the award is known, is judged by France Football magazine and was presented to Nedved at a ceremony on Monday.
The Czech international has enjoyed a successful year with his club side Juventus, helping the Italian giants to the Serie A title and the final of the Champions League.
However, Nedved admitted that he was surprised to eclipse Henry and another French star, Zinedine Zidane, in the European Footballer of the Year poll.
"For me, Thierry Henry is the best forward in the world now," he said.
"I am very happy. I did not think I would beat Thierry Henry, Paolo Maldini or Zinedine Zidane and if I had voted I would have voted for Thierry and for the other players on the podium.
"I am very happy for myself, my wife, my children and country but I don't know how I beat Thierry Henry or Zinedine Zidane."
Henry has enjoyed a stellar year for Arsenal. He was named Footballer of the Year by the PFA and the Football Writers' Association in May and finished second to Zidane in FIFA's World Player of the Year poll last week.
内德维德:“亨利是最优秀的前锋。”
击败亨利当选欧洲足球先生后,内德维德表达了对亨利的赞扬。
金球奖评选是由法国足球杂志评选的,已于周一宣布,内德维德当选。
这位捷克国家队队员帮助尤文问鼎意甲联赛冠军,并打入欧洲冠军杯决赛。
然而,内德维德自己也没有想到能够超越亨利,以及另一名法国球星齐达内,最终获得欧洲足球先生。
“我认为亨利是现今世界上最好的前锋。”他说到。
“我感到非常高兴。我没有想到可以超过亨利、马尔蒂尼和齐达内。如果我来投票,我会选亨利,或是在台上的其他球员。”
“我为自己、为我的妻子、孩子以及我的国家感到高兴,但我也不知道怎么会击败亨利和齐达内的。”
亨利在阿森纳一年的表现极为优异。五月,他被职业球员联盟和足球作家联盟评选为最佳球员,在上周的世界足球先生评选中位列第2。