LONDON. Dec 31: Zinedine Zidane picked up another award today when he was named world player of the year by the readers of English magazine Football World, reports Reuters.

France's Zidane, who was named the European footballer of the year last week and world footballer of the year by World Soccer Magazine, polled 37 per cent of readers' votes in the magazine's first ever award list.

Gabriel Batistuta of Argentina was runner-up with 29 per cent, with Italy's Alessandro del Piero third with 17 per cent.

Brazilian striker Ronaldo polled a disappointing nine per cent to finish fourth.

Surprisingly, Football World's readers voted Croatia as team of the year, they polled 30 per cent of the votes ahead of world champions France who gathered 28 per cent.

Miroslav Blazevic of Croatia was named coach of the year while Michael Owen of England won the young player of the year award.