Andriy SHEVCHENKO, Ukraine forward, was honoured as the 2004 European Footballer of the Year. His 175 votes led the voting, conducted by France Football magazine, and his 24 goals for AC Milan in the 2003-4 season led Italy's Serie A. Shevchenko is the first to take the Ballon d'Or to the Ukraine since its 1991 independence. DECO of Portugal and his Barcelona teammate, Brazil's RONALDINHO, were second and third respectively in the voting.