The prize, known as the Ballon d'Or in French and handed out by bi-weekly France Football magazine, was awarded after a poll among journalists from the 52 countries affiliated to European football's governing body UEFA.

Nedved, 31, captained the Czech Republic to the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal and last season led Juventus to the Champions League final, where they lost to AC Milan on penalties, though he was suspended for that match at Old Trafford.

"I still don't understand how I could have won. I didn't event dare dream about it," said Nedved who earned 190 votes to win with Arsenal's France international striker Thierry Henry second with 128 votes and AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini third with 123 votes.

The 1998 winner Zidane of France, who won the FIFA World Player of the Year award last week for the third time, came fifth.

"But now that I can touch the Ballon d'Or I believe it even if it's difficult to believe that I am ahead of players like Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane or Andrei Shevchenko," said Nedved.

"Of course it's an intense emotion, even more so because I'm winning 41 years after the Czech football idol, our greatest player Josef Masopust."

And the Czech player, who finished fourth in the FIFA poll, said that he intended to retire when he reaches 34.

"I'm still planning to stop in 2006. But that gives me time to achieve my goals at club and national level," said Nedved.

"In fact the Ballon d'Or will not change how I manage my career, although I might train even harder than before to prove that I deserve it!"