The 2010 South American Footballer of the Year

South American Footballer of the Year

The South American Footballer of the Year is an annual association football award presented to the best footballer in South America over the previous calendar year. The award was conceived by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo, whom awarded it from 1971 to 1985. Uruguayan newspaper El País took over...

, given to the best football player in South America by Uruguayan newspaper El País through voting by journalists across the continent, was awarded to Andrés D'Alessandro

Andrés D'Alessandro

Andrés Nicolás D'Alessandro is a left-footed Argentine footballer who currently plays for Sport Club Internacional in Brazil. He is best known for his dribbling and his short passing ability.-Early career:...

 of Internacional

Sport Club Internacional

Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...

 on December 30, 2010.

Andrés D'Alessandro won the award for the first time ahead of two-time holder Juan Sebastián Verón

Juan Sebastián Verón

Juan Sebastián Verón is an Argentinian professional football player who is the current captain and midfielder for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Primera División....

. D'Alessandro became the second Inter player to win the award.

Rankings

Rank	Player	Nationality	Club	Points
1	Andrés D'Alessandro Andrés D'Alessandro Andrés Nicolás D'Alessandro is a left-footed Argentine footballer who currently plays for Sport Club Internacional in Brazil. He is best known for his dribbling and his short passing ability.-Early career:...		Internacional Sport Club Internacional Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...	61
2	Juan Sebastián Verón Juan Sebastián Verón Juan Sebastián Verón is an Argentinian professional football player who is the current captain and midfielder for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Primera División....		Estudiantes Estudiantes de La Plata Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....	51
3	Neymar		Santos	47
4	Darío Conca Darío Conca Darío Leonardo Conca or simply Darío Conca is an Argentine professional football attacking midfielder...		Fluminense Fluminense Football Club Fluminense Football Club is a sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Founded in the beginning of the 20th century as a single-sport institution, Fluminense is today an umbrella organization for several teams in more than 16 different sport activities. The most popular endeavor of Fluminense,...	46
5	Santiago Silva Santiago Silva Santiago Martín Silva Olivera is a Uruguayan football forward currently playing for Fiorentina in the Italian Serie A.-Career:...		Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...	35
6	Mauricio Victorino Mauricio Victorino Mauricio Bernardo Victorino Dansilo is a Uruguayan football defender,currently playing for Cruzeiro.-Club career:He made his debut for Nacional in a Copa Libertadores match against Argentine River Plate on March 3, 2005. On 1st August 2009, he was transferres to Universidad de Chile after an...		Universidad de Chile	33
7	Hilario Navarro Hilario Navarro Hilario Bernardo Navarro is an Argentine football goalkeeper who plays for Independiente in the Argentine Primera División.-Career:...		Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....	28
8	Néicer Reasco Neicer Reasco Néicer Reasco Yano is an Ecuadorian footballer. He is a defender who plays for LDU Quito in Ecuador, and has won four league titles with them...		LDU Quito	26
9	Egidio Arévalo Egidio Arévalo Egidio Arévalo Ríos , also known as Egidio Arévalo or Arévalo Rios , is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Club Tijuana and the Uruguay national football team....		Peñarol C.A. Peñarol Club Atlético Peñarol also known as Carboneros, Aurinegros and familiarly as Manya, is an Uruguayan sports club based in the Peñarol barrio, Montevideo, best known for its professional football team. The team plays their home matches in Estadio Centenario, the largest stadium in the country, but...	24
	Leandro Desábato Leandro Desábato Leandro Desábato , nicknamed Chavo, is an Argentine football defender who plays for Estudiantes de La Plata of the Argentine Primera División.-Club career:...		Estudiantes Estudiantes de La Plata Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....	24
	Giuliano Giuliano Victor de Paula Giuliano Victor de Paula , simply known as Giuliano, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Ukrainian Premier League club FC Dnipro and the Brazilian national team.-Club career:...		Internacional Sport Club Internacional Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...	24
12	Pablo Guiñazú		Internacional Sport Club Internacional Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...	23
13	Humberto Suazo Humberto Suazo Humberto Andrés Suazo Pontivo , nicknamed Chupete, is a Chilean football player, who currently plays as a striker in Monterrey. In 2006 he was awarded by IFFHS as the world's top goal scorer of the year....		Monterrey	19
14	Thiago Ribeiro Thiago Ribeiro Thiago Ribeiro full name Thiago Ribeiro Cardoso is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Cagliari.-Biography:Born in Pontes Gestal, São Paulo state, Thiago started his career at Rio Branco . He was loaned to Ligue 1 side Bordeaux for 2004–05 season, along with Adonis Soares Pavani. On 1 August...		Cruzeiro Cruzeiro Esporte Clube Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...	17
	Martín Silva		Defensor Sporting	17
16	Bolívar Fabian Guedes Fabian Guedes, popularly known as Bolívar, is a Brazilian central defender. He was born in Santa Cruz do Sul, on August 16, 1980. He currently plays for Internacional of Campeonato Brasileiro.-Honours:...		Internacional Sport Club Internacional Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...	14
	Guillermo Ochoa Guillermo Ochoa Francisco Guillermo Ochoa Magaña is a Mexican goalkeeper who currently plays for French Ligue 1 club Ajaccio. He also plays for the Mexican national football team.-América:...		América Club América Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....	14
18	Kléber Kléber de Souza Freitas Kléber Giacomace de Souza Freitas, known simply as Kleber is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a Forward.-Career:Kléber signed for FC Dynamo Kyiv from São Paulo in January 2004....		Palmeiras Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras is a Brazilian football club from São Paulo. The club was founded on August 26, 1914, as Palestra Italia but changed to the current name on September 14, 1942...	13
	Rogério Ceni Rogério Ceni Rogério Ceni is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He has been a member of the Brazilian Série A club São Paulo since September 7, 1990, playing more than 1,000 matches and winning 2 Copa Libertadores trophies and one Club World Championship with them...		São Paulo	13
20	Roberto Carlos		Corinthians Sport Club Corinthians Paulista Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, commonly just known as Corinthians , is a Brazilian football club based in the city of São Paulo. They play in the São Paulo state league, as well as the Brasileirão, Brazil's top national league...	11
	Gary Medel Gary Medel Gary Alexis Medel Soto , known as Gary Medel, is a Chilean football player who plays as defensive midfielder for La Liga club Sevilla FC....		Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....	11
	Walter Montillo Walter Montillo Walter Damián Montillo is an Argentine footballer who currently plays as midfielder for Cruzeiro of Brazilian Série A.-Club Career:...		Cruzeiro Cruzeiro Esporte Clube Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...	11
	Miguel Pinto Miguel Pinto Miguel Ángel Pinto Jerez is a Chilean football goalkeeper who plays for Mexican club Atlas.-Universidad de Chile:...		Universidad de Chile	11
24	Giovanni Moreno Giovanni Moreno Giovanni Andrés Moreno Cardona is a Colombian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Racing Club in the Argentine Primera División.-Club:Moreno started his career with Colombian second division side Envigado...		Racing Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...	10
	Renan Renan Brito Soares Renan Brito Soares or simply Renan , is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He currently plays for Internacional.- Career :...		Internacional Sport Club Internacional Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...	10
26	Juan Pablo Carrizo Juan Pablo Carrizo Juan Pablo Carrizo is an Argentine football goalkeeper who plays for Lazio in the Italian Serie A.-River Plate:Carrizo made his debut with River Plate on January 29, 2006, against Tiro Federal, keeping a clean sheet in River's 5–0 win...		River Plate Club Atlético River Plate Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....	9
	Luis Ernesto Michel Luis Ernesto Michel Luis Ernesto Michel Vergara is a Mexican professional footballer who currently plays in Guadalajara of Primera División de México as a goalkeeper. Michel stands at and weighs 75 kilos.-Club career:...		Guadalajara C.D. Guadalajara Club Deportivo Guadalajara , is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara plays in the Primera División de México and is the most successful club in Mexican football, having won 11 First Division titles, 7 Campeón de Campeones and 2 Copa México...	9
	Victor Victor Leandro Bagy Victor Leandro Bagy, better known as Victor , is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Série A club Grêmio.-Club career:...		Grêmio Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, commonly known as just Grêmio , is a Brazilian professional association football team based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul founded by English and German immigrants on September 15, 1903. Major titles captured by Grêmio include one Intercontinental Cup, two Copa...	9
29	Norberto Araujo Norberto Araujo Norberto Carlos Araujo López is an Ecuadorian football central defender who plays for LDU Quito and the Ecuadorian national team.-Club career:...		LDU Quito	8
	Fábio		Cruzeiro Cruzeiro Esporte Clube Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...	8
	Índio Marcos Antônio de Lima Marcos Antônio de Lima or simply Índio , is a Brazilian central defender. He currently plays for Internacional.-Honours:*Rio Grande do Sul State League: 2005,2008,2009 and 2011*Copa Libertadores: 2006, 2010...		Internacional Sport Club Internacional Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...	8
	Rodrigo Mora Rodrigo Mora Rodrigo Nicanor Mora Núñez is an Uruguayan footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a striker.-Club career:Mora started his professional career with modest Juventud de Las Piedras...		Defensor Sporting	8
33	Rodrigo Braña Rodrigo Braña Rodrigo Braña is an Argentine football midfielder. He currently plays for Estudiantes de La Plata of the Argentine Primera División.-Career:...		Estudiantes Estudiantes de La Plata Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....	7
	José Francisco Cevallos		LDU Quito	7
35	Sebastián Abreu Sebastián Abreu Washington Sebastián Abreu Gallo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays with Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas in Brazil as a striker.Best known by his nickname El Loco , the prolific goalscorer – for club and country – played for more than 20 teams during his professional career, in six different...		Botafogo Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas , also known as Botafogo and familiarly as Estrela Solitária, is a Brazilian sports club based in Botafogo, neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, best known for its football team. They play in the Campeonato Carioca, Rio de Janeiro's state league, and the Campeonato...	6
	Ulises de la Cruz Ulises de la Cruz Ulises Hernán de la Cruz Bernardo is a Ecuadorian footballer currently with LDU Quito.De la Cruz has set up a charity, Friends of FundeCruz, in his home village to fund a number of projects serving the local community....		LDU Quito	6
	Nei Claudinei Cardoso Félix Silva Nei , is a Brazilian right back. He currently plays for Internacional Porto Alegre.-Career:...		Internacional Sport Club Internacional Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...	6
	Agustín Orión Agustín Orión Agustín Ignacio Orión is an Argentine football goalkeeper who currently plays for Boca Juniors.-Career:Orión was San Lorenzo's first choice goalkeeper in 2007, when he helped the club to win the Clausura tournament...		Estudiantes Estudiantes de La Plata Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....	6
	Emiliano Papa Emiliano Papa Emiliano Ramiro Papa is an Argentine football left back or left winger who plays for Vélez Sársfield in the Argentine Primera División.-Club career:...		Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...	6
40	Marcos Assunção Marcos Assunção Marcos dos Santos Assunção is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Palmeiras.A Central Midfielder, he is renowned as a world-class free kick specialist, and is best known for his spell at Real Betis, having represented teams in four different countries.-Club career:Assunção began his career at Rio...		Palmeiras Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras is a Brazilian football club from São Paulo. The club was founded on August 26, 1914, as Palestra Italia but changed to the current name on September 14, 1942...	5
	Diego Barreto Diego Barreto Diego Daniel Barreto Cáceres is a Paraguayan football goalkeeper. He currently plays for Cerro Porteño in the Paraguayan Primera División.Diego is the brother of fellow Paraguayan footballer, Édgar Barreto.-Career:...		Cerro Porteño Cerro Porteño Club Cerro Porteño is a professional Paraguayan football club, based in the neighbourhood of Barrio Obrero in Asunción. Founded in 1912, Cerro has won 28 Primera División titles and is one of the most popular football club in Paraguay...	5
	Omar Bravo Omar Bravo Omar Bravo Tordecillas is a Mexican footballer who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.-Club Deportivo Guadalajara:...		Guadalajara C.D. Guadalajara Club Deportivo Guadalajara , is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara plays in the Primera División de México and is the most successful club in Mexican football, having won 11 First Division titles, 7 Campeón de Campeones and 2 Copa México...	5
	Fabián Cubero Fabián Cubero Fabián Alberto Cubero is an Argentine footballer who plays for Vélez Sársfield in the Argentine Primera División. A versatile player, Cubero started as a defensive midfielder but has played most of his career as a right back. He is nicknamed Poroto .-Club career:Cubero started his professional...		Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...	5
	Rafael Moura Rafael Moura Rafael Martiniano de Miranda Moura or simply Rafael Moura is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Fluminense.Is called of He Man by the fans, for the resemblance to the hero.-Career:...		Goiás Goiás Esporte Clube Goiás Esporte Clube, also known as Goiás, is a Brazilian football team in Goiânia, Goiás state. It is one of the largest clubs of the Central-Western part of Brazil and they won the 'Série B once.Its main rival is Vila Nova...	5
	Jorge Valdivia Jorge Valdivia Jorge Luis Valdivia Toro is a Chilean professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for the Brazilian Série A club Palmeiras and the Chilean national team....		Palmeiras Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras is a Brazilian football club from São Paulo. The club was founded on August 26, 1914, as Palestra Italia but changed to the current name on September 14, 1942...	5
46	Alex Silva Alex Sandro da Silva Alex Sandro da Silva or simply Alex Silva , is a Brazilian central defender. He currently plays for Flamengo.-Career:He is the younger brother of S.L...		São Paulo	4
	Elias Elias Ribeiro de Oliveira Elias Ribeiro de Oliveira, known as Elias , is a Brazilian footballer who defends Figueirense Futebol Clube.-Bahia:...		Atlético Goianiense Atlético Clube Goianiense Atlético Clube Goianiense, usually known as Atlético Goianiense or just Atlético, is a Brazilian football team from the city of Goiânia, Goiás state. Atlético Goianiense is the oldest Goiânia city football club. The club is the first team of its state to win a national competition, which was the...	4
	Jorge Guagua Jorge Guagua Jorge Daniel Guagua Tamayo is an Ecuador international football defender who plays for LDU Quito in the Ecuadorian Serie A....		LDU Quito	4
	Leo Moura		Flamengo Clube de Regatas do Flamengo Clube de Regatas do Flamengo , also known as Flamengo and familiarly as Mengão, is a Brazilian sports club based in the Flamengo bairro, Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro, best known for its professional football team...	4
	Lucas Mareque Lucas Mareque Lucas Armando Mareque Buccolini is an Argentine football left back who plays for Lorient in France.-Career:Mareque started his career with River Plate in 2004. In 2007, he was transferred to Porto, where he made his league debut against União de Leiria on January 26...		Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....	4
	Mariano Mariano Ferreira Filho Mariano Ferreira Filho or simply Mariano , is a Brazilian right back. He currently plays for Fluminense. He has scored 10 goals in all competitions for Fluminense including 6 goals in league play....		Fluminense Fluminense Football Club Fluminense Football Club is a sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Founded in the beginning of the 20th century as a single-sport institution, Fluminense is today an umbrella organization for several teams in more than 16 different sport activities. The most popular endeavor of Fluminense,...	4
	Juan Manuel Martínez Juan Manuel Martínez Juan Manuel Martínez , nicknamed el Burrito , is an Argentine football forward. He currently plays for Vélez Sársfield in the Argentine Primera División.-Club career:...		Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...	4
	Sebastián Peratta Sebastián Peratta Sebastián Diego Peratta is an Argentine football goalkeeper currently playing for Newell's Old Boys.Peratta started his career in 1999 with Deportivo Morón in the lower leagues of Argentine football...		Newell's Old Boys Newell's Old Boys Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys is an Argentine sports club based in Rosario. The club was founded on November 3, 1903, and is named after Isaac Newell, one of the pioneers of Argentine football...	4
	Enzo Pérez		Estudiantes Estudiantes de La Plata Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....	4
	Pedro Sarabia Pedro Sarabia Pedro Alcides Sarabia Achucarro is a Paraguayan football defender.Sarabia made his debut for the Paraguayan national team in 1995, and has got 47 caps. He represented Paraguay at the World Cups in 1998 and 2002....		Libertad Club Libertad Club Libertad is a sports club based in the District Tuyucuá of the city of Asuncion, capital of Paraguay. It was founded on July 30, 1905 and currently plays in the Paraguayan Primera División...	4
	Andrés Scotti Andrés Scotti Andrés Scotti Ponce de León is a Uruguayan footballer that currently plays for the Chilean team Colo Colo and the Uruguayan national team as Centre back and very rarely as left back....		Colo-Colo Colo-Colo Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...	4